Cold medicine for adults

The first line of treatment for the common cold and influenza is self-care (and patience) as you allow these viral illnesses to simply run their course. But there are cases in which you may need a medical evaluation and prescription medication to tame severe symptoms, prevent a worsening of your condition, or avoid related complications. Antihistamines and Decongestants Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine, which is a natural substance our bodies release when we're exposed to allergens. Decongestants work by causing blood vessels to constrict which helps relieve congestion. Both antihistamines and decongestants are used to dry up secretions, relieving a runny nose or nasal stuffiness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against giving any kind of cough or cold product that contains antihistamines or decongestants to children under 2 years of age. There is a risk of serious or life-threatening side effects. Antiviral Medications Antivirals are medications that specifically target viruses in an effort to prevent them from reproducing. In the case of flu, antiviral medications are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. They can help relieve symptoms and shorten the course of the illness, as well as reduce the risk of complications. Often, these narcotics are in combination medications that also include an antihistamine. An example is Tussionex PennKinetic, an extended-release oral suspension containing a combina...

• Rest: Sleep is known to play an important role in keeping the body's immune system healthy. Restful sleep can help decrease inflammation and keep the immune system strong so it can fight against viruses such as those that cause the common cold. • Stay hydrated: Getting adequate amounts of fluids will help keep the body's mucous membranes moist. This ensures that the mucus won't dry out and will be easier to release by blowing your nose or coughing. • Use a vaporizer/humidifier: A vaporizer or humidifier can provide moisture that helps break up mucus, making it easier to cough. These devices are especially helpful in winter when central heating tends to dry the air out. • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers/fever reducers: Some symptoms of the common cold include fevers, chills, body aches, and joint pain. Nonprescription medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help reduce a fever and help decrease joint and muscle pains. • OTC cold/cough medicine: These medicines can help reduce the severity of cold and cough symptoms. Often a bad cough will make it difficult to get quality rest. OTC cough syrups, cough drops, and cold medicines can help soothe the throat and block the • Nasal saline irrigation and salt water gargles: While more in-depth studies need to be done, studies have shown that these interventions can decrease the duration of a running nose, nasal congestion, and cough. How Long Do Colds Last? Common cold symptoms typically peak within two to three days...

The common cold is an infection of your nose, sinuses, throat and windpipe. Colds spread easily, especially within homes, classrooms and workplaces. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. There’s no cure for a common cold, but it usually goes away within a week to 10 days. If you don’t feel better in 10 days, see a healthcare provider. Overview What is the common cold? A cold is a contagious We call colds “common” because as their name implies, they’re widespread. You’ll probably have more colds in your lifetime than any other illness. Adults catch two to three colds a year, while young children come down with a cold four or more times a year. Symptoms and Causes Early symptoms of the common cold include sore throat, runny nose and coughing. What are the symptoms of the common cold? Common cold symptoms typically appear in stages. The common cold stages include early, active and late. Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3) Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. Other common cold symptoms you may experience during this early stage include: • Sneezing. • Runny nose. • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion). • Cough. • Stage 2: Active (Days 4 to 7) Symptoms typically worsen or peak during this stage. In addition to the symptoms in stage 1, you may experience: • Body aches. • Headache. • Runny eyes and nose. • • Fever (more common in children...

Acute upper respiratory tract infections are extremely common in adults and children, but only a few safe and effective treatments are available. Patients typically present with nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough, general malaise, and/or low-grade fever. Informing patients about the self-limited nature of the common cold can help manage expectations, limit antibiotic use, and avoid over-the-counter purchases that may not help. Treatments with proven effectiveness for cold symptoms in adults include over-the-counter analgesics, zinc, nasal decongestants with or without antihistamines, and ipratropium for cough. Lower-quality evidence suggests that Lactobacillus casei may be beneficial in older adults. The only established safe and effective treatments for children are acetylcysteine, honey (for children one year and older), nasal saline irrigation, intranasal ipratropium, and topical application of ointment containing camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oils. Over-the-counter cold medications should not be used in children younger than four years. Counseling patients about the importance of good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent transmission of cold viruses. Acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI), also called the common cold, is the most common acute illness in the United States and the industrialized world. , ( Over-the-counter cold medications should not be used to treat children younger than four years because of lack of benefit and low but signif...

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Decongestants are medications that provide temporary relief for a blocked or stuffy nose. People can take decongestants to alleviate nasal congestion from upper respiratory infections and allergies. This article describes what decongestants do, and outlines research investigating their effectiveness. We also list different types of decongestant medication and give tips on how to alleviate congestion in adults, children, and infants. Though many people use decongestants to alleviate nasal congestion, there is no strong evidence that these medications are very effective. A The study concluded that decongestants might provide a small benefit for nasal congestion in adults. However, studies that found such an effect mainly relied on participants’ subjective feedback about their symptoms. The authors also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the findings. Of the 15 studies included in the review, nine received funding from companies that make decongestants. The funding sources of the remaining six studies were unclear. Given the above, the researchers were unable to reach any firm conclusions about the effectiveness of single or multiple use decongestants. There are different types of decongestant medications available. Each has slightly different ingredients, and each may produce different side effects. Decongestant types include: Phenylephrine Phenylephrine is a type of nasal decongestant in over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Sudafed PE. Phenylephrine is available...