Cough, Cold & Flu

Treatments

There is no effective cure for the common cold. It will last for about 7 to 10 days no matter what you do.

Over-the-counter medication such as MOTRIN* IB will help to relieve fever, sore throat, headache, aches and pains. TYLENOL* Cold will help relieve a runny nose, nasal congestion, sinus pain, sneezing and cough. Cough medications such as TYLENOL* Cough will help suppress your cough and help relieve a sore throat, fever, and headache which is often associated with a cough. Flu formulations such as TYLENOL* Flu will help relieve nasal congestion, aches, pain, and cough. See also Recommended Tips.

Medicines that work against the flu virus (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir and oseltamivir) are now available on prescription. These medications aim to treat flu and are not a good alternative to vaccination.

Alternative therapies may also be helpful for some people:

• Vitamin C is often believed to prevent colds and flu. Scientific studies, however, show that it cannot prevent colds and flu, and very high doses are needed to reduce the severity of symptoms once you have a cold. Before taking very high doses of vitamin C (or any vitamin supplement) speak to your doctor.
• Zinc gluconate is another popular treatment, although scientific studies are divided on whether it really works or not. In studies where zinc was effective, cold symptoms were reduced by about 2 days, but a safe and effective dose has not been established. In high doses, zinc can cause nausea, vomiting and bad-taste reactions. It can also cause stomach irritation and kidney damage.
• Echinacea has been proven to stimulate the immune system, and has been touted as helpful for treating colds. However, its effectiveness varies widely depending on where it comes from, and the preparation and dosage used. If you are interested in this approach to managing your cold, see a licensed herbalist.

Note that antibiotics are not effective against colds and flu as they only kill bacteria, not viruses. Your doctor should only prescribe them for you if a bacterial infection develops from a cold, such as a complicating sinus or ear infection.