Cold treatments. The common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose and throat and is the most common of all diseases. Its symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat and headaches. There is no cure for a cold; the patient should remain warm (hot water bottle) and drink plenty of hot fluids (mug). A thermometer can be used to check the patient's temperature. If it rises (above 37 degrees Celsius), a fever (pyrexia) may be present. Fever is the body's reaction to infectious agents; it attempts to kill them by overheating them. However, a fever of over 42 degrees Celsius is harmful to the patient and emergency treatment would be required.