How Do You Treat a Cold or the Flu? Medications, Home Remedies, and Other Treatment Options

Colds are the main reason adults miss work and children miss school, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with adults averaging two or three colds a year and kids even more. (1)

While the impact of the flu varies year to year, it also has a significant effect on our collective daily life, resulting in anywhere from 9 million to 45 million illnesses in the United States each year since 2010, estimates the CDC. (2)

“Most people can help ease theirsymptoms by getting plenty of rest and staying well hydrated with fluids,” saysChristopher Ohl, MD, professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Allowing yourself to rest, especially while you have a fever, also gives your body the strength it needs to fight the virus.”

To preventdehydration, opt for water, juice, and warm soups; avoidcaffeineand alcohol, according to the Mayo Clinic. (3,4)

Learn How to Tell the Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms

店头交易(OTC)疼痛和发烧还原剂或decongestants can lessencold and flu symptoms, but they will not cure the underlying viral infection, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Nor can antibiotics, which are only effective against bacterial infections. (5)

There are many nonprescription products available to easecold and flu symptoms, including the following:

Analgesics (for Pain and Fever)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)is a top choice; other popular options areibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)andnaproxen (Aleve).

Be cautious about taking too muchacetaminophen, as this can damage the liver. The daily dose should not exceed 4 grams per day, and for people with liver issues, 2 grams per day.

“Acetaminophen is included in multiple remedies for cold orsinussymptoms,” saysScott E. Glaser, MD, president of Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago in Illinois. “If an individual is not aware of this fact, they may unintentionally expose themselves to amounts of acetaminophen in the danger zone.”

Avoidaspirin, as its use to treat people with viral infections (particularly children and teens) has been linked to a rare condition called Reye’s syndrome, which can harm the brain and liver.

Antihistamines

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Sominex)can offer relief for a runny nose, but it can also make you sleepy.Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)won’t make you drowsy but may not be as effective. Other OTC choices includefexofenadine (Allegra),cetirizine (Alleroff, Zyrtec), andlevocetirizine (Xyzal).

Decongestants

OTC medications such aspseudoephedrine (Silfedrine, Sudafed)can help with astuffy nose, but for some people, side effects ofpseudoephedrinecan include nervousness,insomnia, and irritability. People with uncontrolledhigh blood pressureshould avoid pseudoephedrine.

Nasal Steroids

Over-the-counter medications used for seasonalallergiessuch asfluticasonecan help relieve a runny nose orsinus pressurecaused by a cold or the flu.

RELATED:5 Quick Ways to Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose

Expectorants

Guaifenesin (Mucinex, Tussin)can help thinmucusandphlegm, making it easier to blow your nose or clear chest or throat congestion by coughing.

Cough Suppressants

Dextromethorphan (Robitussin, TheraFlu, Vicks)belongs to a category of medication called antitussives, which can ease coughs. (5)

Sore Throat Treatments

Lozenges such as Cepacol are one OTC remedy.

Other Medications

Products such asNyQuilor Tylenol Cold & Sinus can help ease discomfort. Be sure to read the labels to make sure the product matches your symptoms. (5)

RELATED:How Long Does a Cold or Flu Last?

While there isn’t a lot of research to support the effectiveness of herbal remedies for cold and flu, many people believe they can help. This is what’s known as the placebo effect.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers this recap of research on a few popular natural products for cold and flu:

• ZincOral forms (lozenges, tablets, or syrup) can reduce the length of colds when taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, but zinc can have side effects such as nausea and othergastrointestinalproblems and may interact with other medications.
• Vitamin CTakingvitamin Cregularly does not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold and has only a slight impact on the length and severity of an illness. People who take vitamin C only when they’re sick don’t benefit at all.
• EchinaceaResearch does not support the use of this herb to either prevent or treat colds.
• ProbioticsThe scientific evidence is weak thatprobiotics(“good” bacteria found in supplements and certain foods) can help prevent colds. (6)

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 loosencongestion.
• Adjust a room’s temperature and humidity. The air should be warm but not overheated; if it’s dry, use a humidifier.
• Soothe your throat. Gargling with salted water can ease pain.
• Use nasal drops or spray. Both the homemade and OTC kinds can relieve nasal congestion. (3,7)

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The CDC recommends prompt medical attention for people who get the flu and are at high risk of developingcomplications, such as adults who are 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such asasthma,diabetes,heart disease,HIV, andcancer.

For people in these groups, treatment may include antiviral medications; these prescription drugs are used to battleinfluenzaviruses. (8)

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the following antivirals to treat flu:

• Tamiflu (oseltamivir)is available as a liquid or a capsule, and it can be prescribed forinfantswho are least 14 days old, children, and adults.
• Relenza (zanamivir)is available as a powder that is inhaled, and it can be prescribed for people who are 7 and older.
• Rapivab (peramivir)is given intravenously, and it can be prescribed for people who are 2 and older.
• Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)is available as a single-dose pill that can be prescribed for people who are 12 and older. (8)

“Antiviral medications might shorten the duration of symptoms somewhat, but in order for them to be effective, they need to be started in the first two days of illness,” says Dr. Ohl.

The CDC stresses that these drugs are a second line of defense against the flu:A flu vaccineremains the best way to stay healthy. (8)

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What Treatment Options Are Safe During Pregnancy?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, natural remedies like saline nasal drops and warm salt-water gargling are ideal cold and flu treatments during pregnancy. (9)

Vicks VapoRubandcoughdrops (with the exception of sugar-free cough drops forgestational diabetesthat contain blends of herbs or aspartame) are also considered safe during pregnancy. (9)

Women who are pregnant or trying toget pregnantshould check with their healthcare provider before taking any drug. While no medication can be considered 100 percent safe for pregnant women, the Cleveland Clinic lists the following as among those generally considered to be okay:

• Acetaminophen
• Diphenhydramine
• Dextromethorphan
• Guaifenesin

Note: Do not take the sustained action (abbreviated on labels as "SA") or multisymptom forms of these drugs. (9)

As for the decongestant pseudoephedrine, the Cleveland Clinic recommends that pregnant women avoid it in the first trimester (9), while a review published in the journalAmerican Family Physicianconcluded that women should use it only sparingly later in pregnancy. (10)

For pregnant women with the flu,oseltamivir是首选药物,因为它喜神贝斯吗t safety and efficacy record, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends that pregnant women with a fever take acetominophen and contact their doctors immediately. (11)

RELATED:7 Natural Flu Remedies That Actually Work

What Treatment Options Are Safe While Breastfeeding?

Natural remedies like saline nasal drops and warm salt-water gargles remain great options for cold and flu treatment while breastfeeding.

In addition, the following options are among those generally considered safe, according to the Mayo Clinic, which recommends seeking input from a healthcare provider before taking any medication:

• Analgesics for Pain and FeverAcetaminophen,ibuprofen, andnaproxen— short term use only
• AntihistaminesLoratadineandfexofenadine
  
• DecongestantsPseudoephedrine — use with caution, as it can decrease milk supply (12)

For breastfeeding mothers with the flu, who are at high risk of complications, antiviral medications are considered safe. Oseltamivir is the top choice, according to the CDC, adding that very little of the drug ends up in breast milk. (13)

Additional reporting by Pamela Kaufman.