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-   -   Cold (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=806358)

  • Dec 30, 2014, 10:40 AM
    rudyred
    Cold
    Have had a cold for 2 days. Symptoms are running nose,sore throat,watery eyes and headache. Am not taking any medication. What over the counter medications should I use?
  • Dec 30, 2014, 10:42 AM
    Curlyben
    There are numerous OTC common cold medications.
    Keep warm and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Dec 30, 2014, 12:10 PM
    joypulv
    The less you have to go out doing errands the better.
    So... start a stock of cold medicines for the future, and try them one at a time for this cold.
    Acetaminophen (mainly Tylenol)
    Ibuprofin
    Naproxen (mainly Alleve)
    Those are the generic names, and MANY drugs are based on them, often combined with decongestants for colds.
    But it's cheaper and smarter to stock them in their basic generic form, and mix pain relief with decongestants.
    Many decongestants are based on words with 'ephedrine' in them. 'Pseudephridrine' used to be sold by names like Sudafed, and work great, but they have been taken off shelves because they are used to make speed.
    So go to a drugstore and start reading labels and prices, and maybe talk to a clerk or even the pharmacist.

    And yes, stay warm head to toe, and rest, and drink 5 times the usual fluids, preferably warm ones like broth, but anything. If juices, water them down a lot.
    For the sore throat, gargle frequently with warm salted water, and buy menthol cough drops, which also help open sinuses.

    If the back of your throat gets alarmingly red, see a doctor.

    Speaking as someone with chronic aches and pains, I take the first two (one of each every 4 hours), finding the third doesn't do much. But each person is different. Benedryl is my decongestant of choice. The ones with 'ephedrine' in them make my heart race.

    Many people like syrupy drugs like Nyquil and Robitussin, but I'm too cheap to pay for extra ingredients.
  • Dec 30, 2014, 11:36 PM
    angelajohn
    Don't use cold medicines.donot drink cold water .keep warm
  • Dec 31, 2014, 08:21 AM
    LearningAsIGo
    angelajohn is incorrect. You can certainly use cold medicine if you choose and the temperature of water you drink doesn't matter in the slightest, though you may notice warmer drinks like hot tea will soothe your throat.

    The important thing is to stay hydrated and get extra rest.
  • Jan 10, 2015, 08:16 AM
    boron
    You may have common cold, some other viral infection or even flu (which usually goes with fever but not always)
    Cold vs Flu Chart: Symptoms, Prevention, Vaccines, Treatment | eHealthStar

    For headache you can take OTC painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin... ). By this time it's probably all over... Vitamins C, D or E do not likely help.
  • Jan 10, 2015, 09:21 AM
    tickle
    I would hestate to suggest any OTC meds. We don't know your present medical condition. For instance, I am diabetic so have to read labels carefully before buying anything, but then I rarely have colds or flue even working in homecare.

    Your druggist is always a good bet to ask what to buy, if it is the one you usually go to, he/she knows what kind of meds you are on, so will suggest OTCs that work around any medical condition.

    Honey in hot tea is good for your throat. Honey is beneficial anyway, no matter what you put it in or on.

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