Cough and Cold - Home Suggestions
Remember, there is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics will not shorten the cold or cure it.
A cold will resolve/get better within 7 to 10 days. You can, however, do some things to help yourself or others feel better.
1. Rest and drink plenty of fluids to replace what you lose from a runny nose, cough and fever.
2. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), ASA (Aspirin and others) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or others) for the fever, aches and pains. We do not recommend ASA for those under 20 years of age (see page 99 for further advice). See page 6 for acetaminophen and ibuprofen dosage.
3. Humidified air may help the cold symptoms. Use a cool mist humidifier.
We suggest you avoid ultrasonic humidifiers and hot mist humidifiers.
4. Standing in a hot shower may help a congested head. Do this as often as you find helpful.
5. Drink hot liquids. These can help a congested nose, and loosen a cough.
Chicken soup and hot lemon drinks are good suggestions.
6. You can try a decongestant for the head congestion and runny nose. Combination medications containing a decongestant and an antihistamine, such as Dimetapp, may improve sleep. Ask your pharmacist for assistance. See page 94. Those with severe heart disease, poorly controlled blood pressure, angina, or asthma should not take decongestant medications.
7. Cough syrups with DM (dextromethorphan) may be used to ease a dry cough. You should not suppress all coughing. A loose or congested cough is helping you clear mucus from the air passages. A cough medicine may be used if you are not sleeping well or if you are finding it difficult to work because of the cough. DM containing products may make asthma worse. Use them with caution.
8. Coughs and sneezes spread infection. We recommend covering your mouth and nose, but most importantly, remember to wash your hands after you cough or you can spread the infection by touching people. Hand washing is very important in preventing the spread of your cold to other family members and co-workers.
9. Do not smoke or expose yourself to second hand smoke.
10. See thesore throat or fever tools if necessary.
After three days of using these home suggestions, please continue with the questions below.
Do you continue to cough up green mucus?
or
Is the cough getting worse?
or
Are you generally feeling worse?
or
Do you still have a fever?
