what are the medicines and treatments for a cold
Post on 22-Jul-2016
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Most people who have a cold and who are generally healthy and
well will get better in 7–10 days without any treatment, because the
body's immune system can take care of the infection on its own.
Colds are caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help. Antibiotics
do not kill viruses.
Rest is important if you have a cold because it helps your immune
system fight the cold and can make you feel better.
See your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if your symptoms
don't improve after 10 days.
What can I do to relieve my symptoms?
Rest
Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic fluids
Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Inhale steam to help relieve a blocked nose. Supervise your child
while they breathe in steam from a hot bath or shower in a closed
room.
gargling with warm salty water
sucking on an ice cube or a throat lozenge
drinking hot water with honey and lemon — a simple and effective
home remedy.
Medicines for managing the symptoms of a cold
paracetamol and ibuprofen for relieving pain and fever
decongestants and saline nasal sprays or drops for relieving a
blocked nose.
combination 'cough and cold' medicines
complementary medicines (e.g. vitamin C, zinc, echinacea).
Medicines for relieving pain and fever
Adults and children older than 1 month can take paracetamol.
Adults and children older than 3 months can take ibuprofen.
The dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen for children is worked out
according to how much your child weighs. Read more about
measuring and administering a child's dose of medicine.
Some people may not be able to take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Do not give aspirin for pain or fever to children younger than 12
years as it may cause serious side effects.
Do not use aspirin for fever in children younger than 16 years.
Some tips for using pain and fever medicines safely
Paracetamol (or ibuprofen) is also a common ingredient in some cold and flu
medicines, so it is important to check the active ingredients on the label of your
medicine to avoid "doubling up" and taking other medicines that also contain
paracetamol.
It is important that you tell your health professional about all the medicines you or
anyone in your care is taking — including prescription, over-the-counter and
complementary (herbal, 'natural', vitamin or mineral supplements) medicines. This is
because all medicines, including herbal and natural medicines, can cause side effects
and may interact with other medicines.
Some medicines cannot be taken by people with particular medical conditions, by
people who are also taking certain other medicines, by young children, during
pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
Medicines to relieve a blocked nose (nasal congestion)
Medicated nasal decongestants must not be used in babies younger than 6
months, as rebound congestion may cause breathing difficulty. Decongestants
containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline or xylometazoline
must not be used in children younger than 6 years. Use salt water (saline) nasal
sprays or drops instead of a nasal decongestant for these children.
Before using any medicine, check with a doctor or pharmacist about the safest
one for you or your child. Always read the information on the label and the
consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet that comes with your medicine.
See your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if your symptoms don't improve
after 10 days.
'Cough and cold' medicines
Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children younger than 6 years
old. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner for advice before giving cough
and cold medicines to children aged 6 to 11 years.
Before using any medicine, check with a doctor or pharmacist about the safest
one for you or your child. Always read the information on the label and the
consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet that is available from your
pharmacist.
Complementary medicines
While some people may find vitamins (e.g. vitamin C), mineral supplements (e.g.
zinc) or herbal medicines (e.g. echinacea) helpful, there is not enough
information from good quality clinical trials to show that vitamin or mineral
supplements or herbal medicines help to treat or prevent respiratory tract
infections.
There is also generally limited information on the safety of vitamins, minerals and
complementary medicines, and some can cause side effects.
Severe bacterial infection following a cold
Very occasionally, you can get a second infection caused by bacteria that is a
complication of your cold. This kind of infection is not common (occurring in about 2
in 100 people who have a cold). Most people (80%) who have this kind of infection
won't need antibiotics even though it is caused by bacteria, as the body's immune
system will take care of the infection after about 2 weeks. Some people are more at
risk of complications or may get very sick, so these people will be given antibiotics
to prevent such complications.
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