Common Cold

When to Call for Common Cold

Care Advice

Treatment for Cold Symptoms

1. What You Should Know:
   • Colds are very common and may make you feel uncomfortable.
   • Colds are caused by viruses. They cannot be cured with a drug or shot. Antibiotics do not help.
   • Colds are usually not serious.
   • You can treat a cold at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. For a Very Runny Nose: Blow the Nose.
   • Runny noses help to wash viruses and bacteria out of the nose.
   • Blowing the nose is all that is needed.
   • The skin around your nostrils may get irritated. You can rub a tiny amount of petroleum ointment on it 1 to 2 times a day.
3. For a Stuffy Nose - Use Nasal Washes:
   • Salt water washes are a good way to treat a stuffy nose. You can pour, spray, or squirt salt water into your nose. Then let the water run back out.
   • How It Helps: The salt water rinses out mucus, dust, and allergens. It also keeps the nose moist.
   • Methods : There are a few ways to do nasal washes. You can use a saline nasal spray bottle (sold over-the-counter), a rubber ear syringe, a medical syringe without the needle or a Neti Pot.
   Step-By-Step Instructions:
   • Step 1: Lean over a sink.
   • Step 2: Gently squirt or spray warm salt water into one of your nostrils.
   • Step 3: Some of the water may run into the back of your throat. Spit this out. If you swallow the salt water it will not hurt you.
   • Step 4: Blow your nose to clean out the water and mucus.
   • Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for the other nostril. Do this 2 or 3 times a day if it helps you.
   How to Make Salt Water Nasal Wash:
   • You can make your own saline nasal wash.
   • Put 1 cup (8 oz; 240 mL) of water in a clean container. You should use bottled or previously boiled water.
   • Add ¾ teaspoon of non-iodized salt to the water.
   • Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to the water.
4. Treatment for Cold-Related Symptoms:
   • For muscle aches, headaches, or f ever (over 101°F; over 38.9°C): Take acetaminophen every 4 hours.
   • Sore throat: Try throat drops, hard candy, or warm chicken broth.
   • Cough : Use cough drops.
   • Hydrate : Drink liquids.
5. Humidifier: If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier.
6. How It Is Spread:
   • The cold virus is in your nasal secretions.
   • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
   • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
   • You can return to normal activities after your fever is gone. This includes work and school.
7. What to Expect:
   • Fever may last 2 to 3 days.
   • Runny nose may last 7 to 14 days.
   • Cough may last 2 to 3 weeks.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Trouble breathing
   • Fever lasts more than 3 days
   • Runny nose lasts more than 10 days
   • Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Over-the-Counter Medicines for a Cold

1. Medicines for a Stuffy or Runny Nose:
   • Most cold drugs that are sold over-the-counter (OTC) are not helpful.
   • Antihistamines are only helpful if you also have nasal allergies.
   • If you still think you need medicine, try using a nasal decongestant.
2. Nasal Decongestants for a Very Stuffy or Runny Nose:
   • Nasal decongestants can help you breathe better. They reduce the amount of nasal drainage. They may be taken as pills by mouth or as a nasal spray.
   • Most people do NOT need to use these medicines. If your nose feels blocked, you should try using nasal washes first.
   • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed): This is sold over-the-counter (OTC), but it is kept behind the drug store counter. You will need to ask the pharmacist or clerk for it. Normal adult dose is two 30 mg tablets every 6 hours.
   • Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE): This is sold OTC in pill form. Normal adult dose is one 10 mg tablet every 4 hours.
   • Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray (Afrin): This is sold OTC. Blow your nose to clean out the mucus before using. Spray each nostril once. Wait one minute, and then spray a second time.
   • Phenylephrine nose spray (Neo-Synephrine): This is sold OTC. Blow your nose to clean out the mucus before using. Spray each nostril once. Wait one minute, and then spray a second time.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
3. Caution - Nasal Decongestants:
   • Do not take these drugs if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, an enlarged prostate, or an overactive thyroid.
   • Do not take these drugs if you are pregnant.
   • Do not take these drugs if you have taken a MAO inhibitor drug in the past 2 weeks. Life-threatening side effects can occur. Examples of MAO drugs include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).
   • Do not use nasal decongestants for more than 3 days.
4. Cough Medicines:
   • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Cough Syrups: Some people find that cough syrups help decrease coughing. Dextromethorphan is the most common cough suppressant in OTC cough syrups. Often the letters "DM" appear in the name.
   • OTC Cough Drops: Cough drops can help a lot. They work best for mild coughs. They soothe the tickling feeling in the back of the throat. Cough drops are easy to carry with you.
   • Home Remedy - Hard Candy: Hard candy works just as well as OTC cough drops. People who have diabetes should use sugar-free candy.
   • Home Remedy - Honey: Honey has been shown to help decrease coughing at night. The adult dose is 2 teaspoons (10 mL) at bedtime.
5. OTC Cough Syrup - Dextromethorphan (DM):
   • Cough syrups with DM in them may help your cough. Cough syrups work best for coughs that keep you awake at night. They can help with a dry, hacky cough at the end of a cold or flu. They can be used along with cough drops.
   • Examples : Benylin, Robitussin DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines that you take.
6. Caution - Dextromethorphan (DM):
   • Do not try to stop coughs if you are coughing up phlegm. Coughing is helpful in bringing up mucus from the lungs. This helps keep you from getting pneumonia.
   • Research Notes: Some research shows DM helps a cough get better. Other research shows it has little to no effect.
   • Drug Abuse: DM has become a drug of abuse.
   • Do not take DM if you have taken a MAO inhibitor in the past 2 weeks. These include: isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
   • Do not take this drug if you are taking venlafaxine (Effexor).
7. Fever and Pain Medicine:
   • For fever above 101° F (38.3° C) or pain you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   • The goal for treating fever is to bring it down to a comfortable level.
   • Fever medicine usually lowers fevers by 2° F (1 - 1.5° C).
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your fever or pain feel better.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen in people over 65 years old.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.

Mineral and Vitamin and Herbal Supplements

1. Zinc:
   • Some studies show zinc gluconate lozenges may help with a cold.
   • Dose : Taken by mouth. Follow package instructions. You should take this with food to avoid an upset stomach.
   • Side Effects: Some people complain of an upset stomach and bad taste in their mouth.
   • Important Note About Zicam: Zicam is also sold over-the-counter. There have been a number of lawsuits claiming that Zicam causes loss of smell. It is not clear whether this truly happens. You should not use this drug.
2. Vitamin C:
   • A number of experts promote taking high doses of this vitamin for a cold.
   • Research shows that Vitamin C has little effect on a cold.
   • Vitamin C is most likely harmless in standard doses (less than 2 grams daily).
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines that you take.
3. Echinacea:
   • There is no proven benefit of using it for a cold. In fact, research suggests that it does not help.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines that you take.
4. Read all package instructions.

Neti Pot for Sinus Symptoms

1. Neti Pot:
   • The Neti Pot is a small pot with a thin spout. It looks like a small tea pot.
   • How It Helps: You can use the Neti Pot for a nasal wash. The salt water rinses out mucus, dust, and allergens. It also keeps the nasal cavity moist.
   • Indications : Neti Pots are used to help colds, sinus infections, and nasal allergies.
   • Adverse Reactions: None. Though, not all people like the feeling of pouring water into their nose.
   • See an Internet video for instructions: Neti Pot on YouTube.
2. Neti Pot Step-by-Step Instructions:
   • Step 1: Follow the directions on the salt package to make warm salt water.
   • Step 2: Lean forward and turn your head to one side over the sink. Keep your forehead slightly higher than your chin.
   • Step 3: Gently insert the spout of the Neti Pot into the higher nostril. Put it far enough so that it forms a comfortable seal.
   • Step 4: Raise the Neti Pot slowly. The salt water flows in your higher nostril and out the lower nostril. Breathe through your mouth.
   • Step 5: When the Neti Pot is empty, blow your nose. This will clean out the water and mucus.
   • Step 6: Some of the water may run into the back of your throat. Spit this out. If you swallow the salt water, it will not hurt you.
   • Step 7: Refill the Neti Pot and repeat on the other side. Again, breathe out strongly to clear the nose.
   How to Make Salt Water Nasal Wash:
   • You can make your own saline nasal wash.
   • Put 1 cup (8 ounces; 240 mL) of water in a clean container.
   • Add ¾ teaspoon of non-iodized salt (such as canning or pickling salt) to the water.
   • Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to the water.
   • You should use bottled or previouisly boiled water.

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.