Cold And Flu Home Remedies
Besides resting and drinking plenty of fluids, the following natural remedies may provide symptom relief for a cold or the flu, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Eat chicken soup. Warm fluids can be soothing and loosen congestion.
- Adjust a rooms temperature and humidity. The air should be warm but not overheated if its dry, use a humidifier.
- Soothe your throat. Gargling with salted water can ease pain. Tea with honey can also help.
- Use nasal drops or spray. Both the homemade and OTC kinds can relieve nasal congestion, notes the Mayo Clinic.
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Can Children Take Antiviral Drugs
Yes, though this varies by medication. Oseltamivir is recommended by CDC for treatment of flu in children beginning from birth and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oseltamivir for treatment of flu in children 2 weeks old or older.
- Oseltamivir is available as an oral suspension for children.
- Zanamivir is approved for early treatment of flu in people 7 years and older, though it is not recommended for use in children with underlying respiratory disease, including asthma and other chronic lung diseases.
- Peramivir is approved for early treatment in people 6 months and older.
- Baloxavir is available in a single dose tablet for children aged 5 years and older. While an oral Baloxavir suspension medication is approved by FDA, this product is not available for the 2022-2023 flu season.
If your childs health care provider prescribes oseltamivir capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow capsules, the prescribed capsules may be opened, mixed with a thick sweetened liquid, and given that way. Learn more here.
Risks Of Using Acetaminophen For Pain Relief
The most serious risk from acetaminophen is liver damage. Ignoring the dose recommended on the label can put you at risk of severe liver damage.
People who are at greater risk for liver damage from acetaminophen include people with liver disease and men who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day .
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you also take the blood thinnerwarfarin , because it may increase the risk of bleeding.
It is important to read the package labeling carefully and not exceed the maximum daily dosage. Because many other OTC and prescription products contain acetaminophen as an active ingredient, make sure to look at the list of active ingredients in other medicines you are taking in order to avoid overdosing.
Because the signs and symptoms of liver damage from acetaminophen may not be immediately noticeable, if you think you may have taken too much, call 911 or poison control immediately.
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Best Medicine For Cold Flu
Tukol Extra Strength Multi Symptom Cold Relief Liquid 4 fl oz bottle
- Cough Suppressant Temporarily Relieves Cough Due To Minor Throat And Bronchial Irritation.
- Helps Loosen Phlegm And Thin Bronchial Secretions To Make Cough More Productive.
Equate Severe Cold & Flu, Daytime/Nighttime, Maximum Strength Relief, Berry Flavor 2 pack, 12 fl oz bottles
- Headache, fever, sore throat, minor aches & pains. Dextromethorphan HBr
- Cough. Guaifenesin
Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu and NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief Liquid 2 x 12 Fl Oz
- Keep out of reach of children
- Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu Liquid Non-Drowsy.Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief Liquid Nighttime
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Caplets, 24 Count
- Product Description
Genexa Flu Fix, Homeopathic, Non-Drowsy, Flavored with Organic Acai Berry, Tablets 60 chewable tablets
- Non-drowsy and no known drug interactions
- No artificial sweeteners or preservatives, artificial dyes, parabens, common allergens, or artificial flavors
Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil Cold & Flu, LiquiCaps, Combo Pack
- Runny Nose & Sneezing
Alka Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu, Maximum Strength, Day & Night, Liquid Gels 20 liquid gels
- 12 multi-symptom cold and flu day liquid gels
- 8 multi-symptom cold and flu night liquid gels20 liquid gels
- Bayer consumer care
Contac Cold + Flu, Multi-Symptom, Day & Night, Maximum Strength, Caplets 28 caplets
- Highest possible strength available without a prescription.
- Nasal decongestant.
- History of Relief
The Risks Of Taking Nsaids For Pain Relief
NSAIDs are safe for most people when taken at the right dose for a short period. However, they can increase risk for serious stomach bleeding. NSAIDs may also increase the chance for heart attack and stroke.
Ask a doctor before using NSAIDS if:
- You have a history of stomach problems such as heartburn
- You have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease
- You have asthma
Combining NSAIDs with more than two to three alcoholic drinks a day for women or three to four for men increases the risk for stomach bleeding. Taking NSAIDs along with blood-thinning medications can also increase the risk for bleeding, including serious stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you drink alcohol or take and blood-thinning medicines before using an NSAID. Others factors that increase risk for stomach bleeding include:
- Having a previous history of stomach bleeding
- Being over age 60
- Taking steroid medications, or other NSAID medications
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What Are The Side Effects
The main one for antihistamines is drowsiness, so it can be tough to take during the day. That’s why they’re often included in nighttime cold medicines.
Other common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and headache.
Decongestants can also raise blood pressure. So if your BP is high already, or you’ve got heart disease, check with your doctor before you use them. They may be able to suggest cold medicines that don’t have decongestants in them.
To Relieve A Sore Throat Fever Headache Or Muscle Aches
Examples: Motrin Tablets Advil Caplets Aspirin Original Strength Tylenol Regular Strength Tablets
How they work: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which include ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid , work by preventing the formation of prostaglandins, the chemicals in the body that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. Acetaminophen, found in Tylenol, behaves slightly differently it targets the part of the brain that perceives pain and controls body temperature. Both types are equally effective, says Kalyn, so its just a matter of balancing the benefits versus the risks.
NSAIDs will reduce symptoms for six to eight hours compared to four to six for acetaminophen, so NSAIDs can be more beneficial if you need help sleeping through the night.
Need to know: Follow package directions for dosing. The most common adverse effect with NSAIDs is stomach discomfort, so take them with food, says Kalyn. Avoid NSAIDs if you have high blood pressure, a heart, liver or kidney condition, or stomach issues such as heartburn. NSAIDs can increase the risk of ulcers, internal bleeding and damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Aspirin should not be taken by those on blood thinners and has been linked to Reyes syndrome, so it should not be given to people age 18 and under. Avoid Tylenol if you have liver or kidney disease.
Try: Motrin Liquid Gels, $20, well.ca
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Runny Nose Watery Eyes And Sneezing
When you have a cold, your body makes chemicals called histamines. That leads to sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
Over-the-counter antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine block this process and can relieve those symptoms. They can also make you sleepy and dry out your eyes, nose, and mouth. Antihistamines can make secretions thick, which can be a problem for people with asthma.
Viruses Are The Culprits Behind Both Of These Illnesses
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, says Campbell-Scherer. In contrast, there are just two influenza viruses, A and B, but they continually mutate, requiring the flu vaccine to be updated each year in order to protect against the latest strains.
You can contract cold or flu viruses by inhaling droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by coming in contact with the other persons hands or a shared object or surface, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Once the virus enters your body, it will zero in on the upper respiratory tract , although influenza can also affect the lungs. Cold viruses are infectious up to two days before symptoms appear and remain infectious until theyre gone. However, influenza is infectious one day before it appears and remains so for up to six days after symptoms develop.
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Best Cold Medicine For Sinus Headache
When symptoms of congestion hit your sinuses, you can feel cranial pressure and stuffed up in your nasal passages. This sinus headache is typically the main symptom people associate with a head cold.
To treat a sinus headache, decide if youd like to treat the pain from your sinus blockage or the actual blockage itself.
Ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce your pain. A decongestant like pseudoephedrine can to help relieve your congestion but has been known to produce a side effect of restlessness or nervousness.
Best Cold Medicine For Coughing
Viruses like those which cause the common cold are a leading cause of either wet coughs, as well as dry coughs . A wet cough is the bodys way of clearing mucus from airways and is best treated with an expectorant like guaifenesin. Dry, hacking coughs are important to prevent a sore throat and assist you in getting that much needed rest to maximize your recovery. Cough suppressants will be your go-to class of medications for this type of cough, and a cough syrup like Delsym is the highest pharmacist-recommended brand.
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What Are Flu Antiviral Drugs
Flu antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against flu viruses in your body. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from a health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs for flu only work to treat flu. Flu antiviral drugs are different than antiviral drugs used to treat other infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Antiviral drugs prescribed to treat COVID-19 are not approved or authorized to treat flu.
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Can I Take Advil Or Tylenol To Treat My Cold
Heres the scoop: Advil is ibuprofen and, since acetaminophen works best for fevers and mild body aches, youll want to take Tylenol, according to Gandhi. You can alternate acetaminophen with ibuprofen for fevers. If you have any liver issues, you dont want to take acetaminophen and if you have any kidney issues, you dont want to take ibuprofen, she explains.
Best Nighttime Cold Medicine For Sleep
Antihistamines may help repress coughing and also make you feel sleepy.
Drugs that contain the antihistamines doxylamine or diphenhydramine might help you sleep easier when you have a cold.
Toddlers and infants have different safety concerns when it comes to choosing a medication. Generally, you should consult with your childs pediatrician before giving them cold medication.
Your childs weight, development, age, and symptom severity help to determine the medication and dosage.
If your child is younger than 6 months, stick to the recommended dose of acetaminophen for pain relief.
Child-safe OTC versions of ibuprofen, antihistamines, and cough suppressants are available for children age 2 and older.
Overuse of cough and cold medicine in children can have serious side effects. When in doubt, contact your childs doctor for advice.
avoiding the following active ingredients if you are living with high blood pressure:
- pseudoephedrine
Instead, take an expectorant, such as guaifenesin, and look for OTC drugs that are manufactured for people with high blood pressure in mind.
The AHA also recommends avoiding NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, if youre living with high blood pressure, as these can also have negative effects when taken too often.
Follow dosing instructions carefully and speak with a doctor if youre unsure about how cold medications might interfere with your blood pressure treatment.
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Fever Aches And Sore Throat
These symptoms are usually mild with a cold compared to a more serious illness, like the flu. Still, if you feel bad and canât rest, most experts agree itâs OK to take something to ease pain and lower a fever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Fever may be a good thing. It helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of bacteria and viruses and activating the immune system. Doctors no longer recommend fighting fever for most people, except perhaps for the very young, the very old, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease. But if youâre uncomfortable, it’s fine to take these medications.
Young people , however, should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are best. Each type of medicine has risks, so check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which type of pain reliever or fever reducer is best for you.
Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles can often ease the pain of a sore throat. Some oral medications and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat. Check with your doctor before using any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and don’t use lozenges or gargles for more than a few days. The drugs could mask signs of strep throat, a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.
What Are The Best Cold And Flu Medicines For Me
When you feel the effects of the common cold or flu, which you will as theres no cure and it is contagious, you will be looking for relief from the symptoms.
These include a blocked or a runny nose, a sore throat, sneezing, a headache, a raised temperature, or a cough.
The good news is, there is a wide range of treatments out there that will help provide relief for these symptoms and help you get over the cold or flu.
The treatment that you will need will, of course, be dependent on the symptoms that you experience.
Some treatments will be able to tackle multiple types of the symptom as well.
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Best Cold Medicine For Body Aches
Analgesics refer to medications that relieve different types of pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are also examples of analgesics, so for those suffering from both a fever and body aches, many will experience relief from both symptoms with a single agent. These are common ingredients in combination cold medication products, so always be sure to read the labels of the medications you are taking. These medications may need to be avoided with certain health conditions, so you can always discuss with an expert if these are your best option.
Get Tested For Flu And Covid
If you start having cold-like symptoms, you should get tested for the flu and COVID-19. This is especially true if youâre more likely to get really sick or die from these illnesses.
You might get very sick from the flu or COVID-19 if you:
- Are older than 50
- Have more than one health condition
- Have asthma or other lung diseases
- Have a weakened immune system
If it turns out you have the flu or COVID-19, your doctor can tailor your treatment to include medicine for that specific illness. But antiviral medicines for COVID-19 and the flu only work when you take them soon after having symptoms, which is why doctors advise people to take action quickly. âDon’t wait to see how you feel. Just come in and get tested,â Leykum says.
Some public health labs use a test that checks for both the flu and COVID-19. It helps health officials track each disease, saves time and testing materials, and may give you faster test results.
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What Else We Considered
The experts and I discussed several products here are some other options that were good, but didn’t make the top spots:
Original Neti Pot : The original Neti Pot is awesome , but its price point could make it less accessible thus, it was edged out by an inexpensive, equally effective option.
Zarbee’s Elderberry Lozenges : These are tasty, honey-based , but only had 2mg of zinc so it lost to stronger zinc contenders.
Zicam Cherry Lozenges : A crowd favorite, these use two types of zinc, but also red dye number 40 to achieve that cherry flavor , which is a controversial dye .
Live Better Sterile Saline Nasal Mist: Some people like to use nasal mists in lieu of a Neti Pot and while this seemed to be a solid option, the nasal rinsing pots appear to have more positive clinical data in their favor.