Medication
Treatment
- Pain relievers. For a fever, sore throat and headache, adults often turn to OTC acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
- Decongestant nasal sprays. Adults can use decongestant drops or sprays for up to five days. ...
- Cough syrups. ...
Self-care
Treatment options and prevention for common cold
- Over-the-counter pain-relief medication. Over-the-counter pain medication, also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can help combat the fever, sore throat, and headache associated with the common cold.
- Over-the-counter cold-relief medications. ...
- Cough syrup and honey. ...
- Supplements. ...
- Prevention. ...
Nutrition
These remedies might help you feel better:
- Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ...
- Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
- Soothe a sore throat. ...
- Combat stuffiness. ...
- Relieve pain. ...
- Sip warm liquids. ...
- Try honey. ...
- Add moisture to the air. ...
- Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications. ...
What is the best treatment for a common cold?
The cold winter air ... it is also a common problem with the scalp. A dry scalp is usually skin that is deprived of natural oils. The chilly winter air is extremely harsh on your scalp. Check below some natural remedies to treat scalp dryness in winters ...
How to diagnose and treat common cold?
What are the best remedies for the common cold?
How to cure a common cold?
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How do doctors treat colds?
No medicines can "cure" colds and flu. However, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that can ease the discomfort caused by the symptoms of colds and flu. In addition, there are prescription medicines and a vaccine that can treat and prevent the flu.
How long does common cold last for?
The common cold is an infection of your nose and throat. It's easily passed to others, especially within homes, classrooms and workplaces. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. There's no cure for a common cold, but it typically runs its course in a week to 10 days.
How do I know if I have a cold or Covid?
Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses....Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold?Symptom or signCOVID-19ColdTirednessUsuallySometimesSneezingRarelySometimesSore throatUsuallyUsuallyRunny or stuffy noseUsuallyUsually6 more rows
What helps a cold go away faster?
Cold remedies that workStay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ... Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.Soothe a sore throat. ... Combat stuffiness. ... Relieve pain. ... Sip warm liquids. ... Try honey. ... Add moisture to the air.More items...
What is the best medicine for a cold?
For aches and pains accompanied by a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, give acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) rather than aspirin or naproxen ( Naprosyn ).
How to help cold symptoms?
To ease cold symptoms, the essential oils of aromatherapy may be rubbed on the body, inhaled with steam, diffused into the air, or poured on a cloth to be used as a compress.
How to recover from a cold?
Good nutrition is essential for resisting and recovering from a cold. Eat a balanced diet. Take supplements as needed to ensure you are receiving the recommended dietary allowances for vitamin A , the vitamin B complex (vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, folic acid ), and vitamin C , as well as the minerals zinc and copper.
How to get rid of stuffy nose?
Try rubbing diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest as a decongestant, or inhale eucalyptus or peppermint oil to clear stuffiness. Adding lavender, cedar, or lemon to steam may also soothe nasal passages. Inhaling menthol not only provides relief from nasal congestion, but might help inhibit infection as well.
How much sleep do you need to get rid of a cold?
Lots of rest is the key treating a cold. You may find you need 12 hours of sleep each night, so don't set that alarm. You'll be most comfortable in a warm, humid environment. It's also important to stay hydrated by ...
Can you cough with dextromethorphan?
Over-the-counter cough suppressants, such as those containing dextromethorphan, can be helpful if your cough is so severe that it interferes with sleeping or talking . Otherwise, allow yourself to cough as you need to (always covering your mouth as you do), because coughing removes mucus and germs from your throat and lungs.
Can you give a child over the counter cough medicine?
The FDA and manufacturers now say that over-the-counter cough and cold drugs should not be given to children under age 4.
What are some ways to get rid of a cold?
The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. Some of the more common ones that don't work include: 1 Antibiotics. These attack bacteria, but they're no help against cold viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics you have on hand. You won't get well any faster, and inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 2 Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in young children. OTC cold and cough medications may cause serious and even life-threatening side effects in children. Talk with your child's doctor before giving any medications.
How long does it take for zinc to reduce the symptoms of a cold?
Some studies show that zinc lozenges or syrup reduce the length of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.
How to heal a sore throat from a swollen throat?
Rest. Your body needs rest to heal. Soothe a sore throat. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
What is the best way to relieve congestion?
Combat stuffiness. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion.
How long do you stay sick after catching a cold?
If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. That doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies might help you feel better:
What to do when you have congestion?
Sip warm liquids. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow.
Can colds be cured?
Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold, but are they effective? Nothing can cure a cold. But some remedies might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable. Here's a look at some common cold remedies and what's known about them.
What is the best medicine for colds?
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. The most common OTC medicines used for colds include decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers. Common “cold” medicines sometimes include a combination of these medicines.
How to cure a cold at home?
Home remedies. The most effective and common home remedies for a cold include gargling with saltwater, rest, and staying hydrated . Some research also shows that herbs like echinacea may be effective at reducing symptoms of a cold. These treatments don’t cure or treat a cold.
What is the difference between the flu and the cold?
Another distinct difference between the two is how serious they are. Colds rarely cause additional health conditions or problems. The flu, however, can lead to sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, and sepsis. To determine whether your symptoms are from a cold or from the flu, you need to see your doctor.
What are the symptoms of the flu and cold?
Both a cold and the flu share a few common symptoms. People with either illness often experience: a runny or stuffy nose. sneezing. body aches. general fatigue. As a rule, flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms. Another distinct difference between the two is how serious they are.
How to help a child with a cold?
Let them stay home from school and rest until the cold has cleared. Hydration: It’s very important children with a cold get plenty of fluids. Colds can dehydrate them quickly.
How long does it take for a cold to appear?
Cold symptoms typically take a few days to appear. The symptoms of a cold rarely appear suddenly. Knowing the difference between cold and flu symptoms can help you decide how to treat your condition — and whether you need to see your doctor. Nasal symptoms include: congestion.
What to do if you have a cold?
If your doctor diagnoses a cold, you’ll likely only need to treat your symptoms until the virus has had a chance to run its course. These treatments can include using over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest.
What are some home remedies for the common cold?
Many home remedies are popular treatments for the common cold. These include vitamin C, zinc supplements, and echinacea. Although not proven to be helpful, most home remedies are safe for most people. Some remedies may cause side effects or allergic reactions. Certain remedies may change the way other medicines work.
How to get rid of a cold if you have asthma?
Wheezing can be a common symptom of a cold if you have asthma. Use your rescue inhaler as prescribed if you are wheezing. See your provider immediately if it becomes hard to breathe.
How long does it take for a cold to get better?
Colds are very common. A visit to your health care provider's office is often not needed, and colds often get better in 3 to 4 days. A type of germ called a virus causes most colds. There are many types of viruses that can cause a cold. Depending on what virus you have, your symptoms may vary.
How to stop germs from spreading?
Wash your hands often. This is the best way to stop the spread of germs. To wash your hands correctly: Rub soap onto wet hands for 20 seconds. Make sure to get under your fingernails. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and turn faucet off with paper towel. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
What are the symptoms of a cold?
Common symptoms of a cold include: Fever (100°F [37.7°C] or higher) and chills. Headache, sore muscles, and fatigue. Cough. Nasal symptoms, such as stuffiness, runny nose, yellow or green snot, and sneezing. Sore throat. Mild symptoms of COVID-19 may be similar to those of the common cold.
Can you use cough syrup for sore throat?
So use cough syrups only when your cough becomes too painful. Throat lozenges or sprays for your sore throat. Many cough and cold medicines you buy have more than one medicine inside. Read the labels carefully to make sure you do not take too much of any one medicine.
Does Tylenol help with colds?
Treating your symptoms will not make your cold go away, but will help you feel better. Antibiotics are almost never needed to treat a common cold. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever and relieve muscle aches. Do not use aspirin.
How to feel better when you have a cold?
Below are some ways you can feel better while your body fights off a cold: Get plenty of rest. Drink plenty of fluids. Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer. Use saline nasal spray or drops. For young children, use a rubber suction bulb to clear mucus.
What happens when you have a cold?
Common Cold. When you have a cold, mucus fills your nose and could cause post-nasal drip, headache, and a sore throat. When you have a cold, mucus fills your nose and could cause post-nasal drip, headache, and a sore throat.
How long does it take for mucus to clear up after a cold?
This helps wash the viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic.
How long does it take for a cold to show up?
Symptoms of a cold usually peak within 2 to 3 days and can include: When viruses that cause colds first infect the nose and air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses), the nose makes clear mucus. This helps wash the viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color.
How long does a sore throat last?
When you have a cold, a sore throat could last for 8 days; a headache for 9 or 10 days; and congestion, runny nose, and cough could last for more than 14 days. See a doctor right away if your child is younger than 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher.
How old do you have to be to give a child cough medicine?
Children 4 years or older: discuss with your child’s doctor if over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are safe to give to your child for temporary symptom relief. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dosage of over-the-counter medicines for your child’s age and size.
What to do when you cough and sneeze?
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
What is the common cold?
What are colds and the flu? The common cold and the flu (influenza) are infections of the upper respiratory system - the nose, mouth, throat and lungs. The infections are caused by viruses. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
How to prevent colds from coming?
Other prevention tips are to eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of liquids (try to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of fluid/day), and avoid close contact with people who have colds. Also, get an annual flu vaccine.
What are the symptoms of a cold?
Colds or flu that worsen can lead to: 1 Pneumonia. 2 Bronchitis. 3 Sinus infections. 4 Ear infection. 5 Worsening of existing health problems such as asthma and congestive heart failure.
How do you get the cold and flu?
Cold and flu viruses are spread by touching your nose or mouth after touching an infected person, breathing in the air of an infected person's sneeze or cough, or touching objects that have come in contact with the virus and then touching your nose.
What is the purpose of antibiotics?
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat and ear, skin and urinary tract infections. Using antibiotics for infections they are not able to treat makes the antibiotics less effective for infections they are supposed to treat (a situation called antibiotic resistance).
What is the best medicine for cold and flu?
To ease the discomfort from specific cold and flu symptoms, consider using the following types of OTC medicines: To reduce fever and pain — analgesics: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is generally preferred. Ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®) is also commonly used.
What to do for a stuffy nose?
To relieve a stuffy, clogged nose — decongestants: Try an oral decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®). However, insomnia, nervousness and irritability can occur when taking these drugs. Those who are pregnant or have uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid pseudoephedrine products.
What is the best way to cure a cold?
Many cultures have a home remedy for the cold using garlic, whether it’s chicken soup with lots of garlic, a drink made with raw crushed garlic, or if it just involves eating raw garlic. The cold-fighting compound in garlic is thought to be allicin, which has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties.
What vitamins are needed for a common cold?
Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al. Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and in Three Main Immune Interactive Clusters (Physical Barriers, Innate and Adaptive Immunity) Involved during an Episode of Common Colds-Practical Advice on Dosages and on the Time to Take These Nutrients/Botanicals in order to Prevent or Treat Common Colds. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:5813095. doi:10.1155/2018/5813095
What is ginseng used for?
Although there are many types of ginseng, one cultivated in North America called Panax quinquefolius or “North American ginseng" has become popular as a remedy for colds and flu. Compounds called polysaccharides and ginsenosides are thought to be the active constituents in ginseng. One of the more popular ginseng products is Cold-fX.
How does zinc help with colds?
A number of studies have found that zinc helped to reduce the duration of cold symptoms, especially if people started taking it within 24 hours after cold symptoms appear. 1 Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms and decreased the duration of symptoms by three to four days. The problem is that many of these zinc studies have had flaws, so better-quality studies are needed. Zinc lozenges may work by blocking the cold virus from replicating (preventing it from spreading) or by impairing the ability of the cold virus to enter cells in the nose and throat.
How long does it take for a cold to show up?
Symptoms of the common cold, which usually appear one to three days after being exposed to a cold virus include a runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, mild fatigue, body aches, and fever less than 102 degrees. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin.
Does zinc help with cold virus?
The problem is that many of these zinc studies have had flaws, so better-quality studies are needed. Zinc lozenges may work by blocking the cold virus from replicating (preventing it from spreading) or by impairing the ability of the cold virus to enter cells in the nose and throat.
Does garlic help with colds?
People who took garlic reduced the risk of catching a cold by more than half. The study also found that garlic reduced the recovery time in people who caught a cold. More research is needed to corroborate these results. Garlic does have some possible side effects and safety concerns.
How to help an older baby with cold?
To make your baby as comfortable as possible, try some of these suggestions: Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration. Formula or breast milk is the best choice. Encourage your baby to take in the usual amount of fluids.
How long does it take for a baby to get a cold?
There's no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment, usually within a week to 10 days, but a cough may linger for a week or more. Antibiotics don't work against cold viruses. Try to make your baby more comfortable with measures such as making sure he or she drinks enough fluids, ...
How to get mucus out of a baby's nose?
Release the bulb, holding it in place while it suctions the mucus from your baby's nose. Remove the syringe from your baby's nostril and empty the contents onto a tissue by squeezing the bulb rapidly while holding the tip down. Repeat as often as needed for each nostril. Clean the bulb syringe with soap and water.
How to keep a baby's nose clear?
If you're breastfeeding your baby, keep it up. Breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs. Suction your baby's nose. Keep your baby's nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb syringe to expel the air.
What is the best medicine for fever in children?
For treatment of fever or pain in children, consider giving your child infants' or children's over-the-counter fever and pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). These are safer alternatives to aspirin.
Can you take cough and cold medicine for kids?
Cough and cold medications have potentially serious side effects, including fatal overdoses in children younger than 2 years old. Don't use over-the-counter medicines, except for fever reducers and pain relievers, to treat coughs and colds in children younger than 6 years old. Also consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger ...
Is it safe to take cough and cold medicine?
Cough and cold medications aren't safe for infants and young children. OTC cough and cold medicines don't treat the underlying cause of a child's cold and won't make it go away sooner ⸺ and they can be dangerous to your baby. Cough and cold medications have potentially serious side effects, including fatal overdoses in children younger than 2 years old.
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