Care of colds, coughs, and the flu
Resources
You may notice some symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, or sore throat, and wonder if it is a cold, cough, flu, or even COVID-19. Read below for information on how to prevent these illnesses, how to care for yourself when you are sick, and when to seek medical care.
How to stay healthy
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Don’t have soap? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw your used tissues in the trash. Then wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Do not share towels, utensils, cups, straws, etc.
- Get a flu shot every year in the fall.
Self-care for a cold
- Drink fluids such as water, soup, fruit juice, tea, warm, or broth.
- Suck on cough drops to moisten your throat. Gargle with warm salt water every few hours (1/4 tsp of salt).
- Avoid alcoholic /caffeinated drinks.
- Use acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®) as directed for pain or fever. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN.
- If you have a fever, place a cool washcloth over your forehead and/or behind your neck.
- Use a decongestant (to alleviate or dry up mucus in the head, nose, and throat).
- Do not bundle up in heavy clothes.
- Elevate your head with extra pillows at night.
Self-care for a cough
For a productive cough (i.e., a cough that brings up mucus or phlegm)
- Drink plenty of liquids and use a vaporizer or hot shower steam to loosen congestion and thin mucus.
- Take an expectorant, such as Robitussin. Do not take a cough suppressant to suppress a cough so much that you are no longer bringing up mucus.
- Stop smoking and stay away from places where people are smoking.
- Drink 8 oz. of fluids (fruit juice, water, soup, or other replenishing liquids) every few hours to replace fluids lost through “invisible” perspiration.
For a non-productive cough (i.e., a dry cough that does not bring up mucus)
- Drink plenty of fluids. Hot beverages with honey soothe the throat.
- Take an over-the-counter cough suppressant with dextromethorphan.
- Take a decongestant, such as Sudafed, if you have a post-nasal drip.
- Suck on cough drops, lozenges, or hard candy to soothe and moisten a dry, irritated throat.
When to seek medical care
- You have a fever that is 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that persists for more than two days.
- You cough up bloody, brown, or green mucus.
- You experience shortness of breath or severe chest pains.
- You experience a cough that lasts longer than 10 days to 2 weeks.