Common cold

Diagnosis

Typically, a common cold does not necessitate medical intervention. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor if your symptoms worsen or persist.

In most instances, common cold cases can be diagnosed based on their symptoms. Your doctor may perform a throat or nasal swab to rule out other potential infections. In some cases, a chest X-ray may be ordered to rule out any lung conditions.

Treatment

The common cold has no known remedy. Without medical intervention, the majority of common cold cases resolve in seven to ten days. Still, a cough can linger for a few more days.

As your body heals, taking care of yourself is the finest thing you can do. Among the care recommendations are:

• Use saline nasal rinses.
• Take a rest.
• Consume a lot of fluids.
• Humidify the air.

Cold viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics. They are used to treat bacterial infections.

Pain relievers

The discomfort of a fever, headache, or sore throat can be reduced with over-the-counter pain medicines.

Adults. Adults who want nonprescription pain treatment include:

• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen

Children. The following recommendations apply to children’s painkillers:

• Use over-the-counter, kid-sized painkillers. These include ibuprofen or children’s acetaminophen.
• If you’re unsure of the appropriate dosage, give your healthcare practitioner a call.
• If your child is younger than three months old, wait to give them acetaminophen until they have seen a doctor.
• Never give aspirin to kids or teenagers. Reye’s syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal illness, has been associated with aspirin use in children and teenagers who have chickenpox or the flu.
• To minimize adverse effects, take these medications for the shortest time possible and follow label directions.
• Children who are vomiting often or younger than six months old should not be given ibuprofen.

Decongestant nasal sprays

Adults. Decongestant sprays or drops can be used by adults for a maximum of five days. These relieve nasal congestion. Extended usage may result in the recurrence of symptoms.

Children. Decongestant sprays and drops should not be used on children under the age of six. Before giving nasal decongestants to children older than six years old, see your doctor.

Cough syrups

The symptoms of coughs and colds, not the underlying illness, are treated with over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Studies reveal that these medications are no more effective in treating colds than a placebo, which is an inactive substance often used in research.

Adults. Use these recommendations for over-the-counter cough and cold remedies:

• Avoid taking two medications that share an active ingredient, such as a decongestant, antihistamine, or an analgesic. An unintentional overdose could result from using too much of one component.
• Read the label instructions and abide by them.

Children. Children should not usually be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. These medications have adverse effects that could be lethal, including overdosing in children under the age of two. Before giving your child any over-the-counter cough or cold medication, consult your child’s doctor.