Cold symptoms & treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions.
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Can a doctor treat a cold on Maple?
In most cases, doctors can come to a diagnosis for your cold online by asking about your symptoms.
If the doctor suspects you have a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics to help you treat that as well.
Doctors can also write sick notes for the cold in the case you need to be excused from work, school, or other situations.
Can I get a prescription on Maple?
Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or we’ll deliver it right to your door at no additional cost.
You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.
What is a cold?
A cold is an infection in your upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) and lungs that can leave you sneezing, coughing, and feeling generally run-down. It’s most common in children, but adults can still expect at least one cold per year.
Colds are the most frequently occurring illness around the world, and are the leading cause for doctor visits and missed days at work and school.
Colds are caused by over 200 different viruses, the most common being rhinovirus. Since there are so many viruses that cause colds, and because new ones are always developing, the body doesn’t develop resistance, which is why this condition is so common.
Viruses are primarily caught through your mouth, eyes, or nose. They can spread through the air when others who have the cold sneeze or cough without covering their mouth, or via hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold.
What are the symptoms of a cold?
Symptoms of a cold include:
- Congestion
- Cough
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Slight body aches/pain
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Fever
To prevent getting a cold:
- Disinfect surfaces and items you touch often
- Use tissues when your sneeze, cough, or blow your nose
- Reduce contact with others who have the cold
- Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer when you don’t have immediate access to soap or water
Are there any cold treatments?
There are no direct antibiotics or anitvirals to treat colds, but there are ways you can relieve your discomfort:
- Drinking plenty of clear fluids
- Keeping your room warm
- Resting
- Taking pain relievers for fever, sore throat,and headache
- Using decongestants or nasal sprays to relieve congestion
Antibiotics can become necessary if you develop a secondary bacterial infection in the lungs, throat, ears, and eyes, which colds sometimes lead to.
What is Maple?
With Maple, you can start consulting with a doctor about your symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.
You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a doctor via live chat or video.
Our doctors can assess symptoms, and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.
You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.
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5K Ratings The service has been amazing for our family. The doctors are kind, thorough, and ask all the right questions. As a busy family of five, this app has been a life saver
Super impressed with this service. Without a family doctor, it’s easy to feel alone with no care. Very thankful to have options.
So fast and efficient. A process that would have ordinarily involved a referral and a six months wait was completed in less than 72 hours. Wholeheartedly recommend Maple.
At 1:30 am, I realized I had a UTI and was desperate for help. I went online and within ten minutes, I had my prescription faxed to my pharmacy. This service gave me peace of mind.
Maple was there for me when other doctors couldn't be. So convenient. Any time, any day. I am grateful for this service.
We needed to see a doctor over the weekend as our pediatrician was not available. Logging into Maple and choosing from a selection of specialties was quick and easy. Excellent service!
Very easy to navigate Maple. It’s secure and trusted. Maple has truly gone above and beyond with their app. Highly recommended.
Amazing service! It was great being able to connect with a doctor from the comfort of home late at night.
If it wasn't for this service, I would be clogging up the emergency rooms for a prescription refill. A much needed service in my area.
With my asthma flare-up, I needed a specialist and found one here. The doctor improved my treatment and explained everything in a very clear way.
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