[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/treat-common-cold-flu-symptoms\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/treat-common-cold-flu-symptoms\/","headline":"How to Treat Common Cold & Flu Symptoms","name":"How to Treat Common Cold & Flu Symptoms","description":"Do you know what to do when a cold strikes? Discover which medications to take for your symptoms to make yourself more comfortable.","datePublished":"2014-11-30","dateModified":"2021-01-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","name":"Urgent Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urgent-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/iStock-1078607412.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/iStock-1078607412.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/treat-common-cold-flu-symptoms\/","about":["Cold and Flu","Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":287,"keywords":["cold","Coughing","fever","headache","sneezing"],"articleBody":"Now that colder weather has settled in, we’ll be spending more time cooped up indoors next to our sneezing coworkers.That means, despite your best efforts, you might find yourself hit with a nasty cold or even the\u00a0flu\u00a0this winter. And once you’re sidelined with a cold or flu, you have no choice but to let it run its course. Even though there may not be a cure for the cold or the flu, you can take steps to make yourself more comfortable.Over-the-counter medications can help to relieve some of the symptoms that accompany the\u00a0common cold\u00a0and flu. Yet, there are so many options out there, it can be difficult to understand what medicines can offer the most amount of relief for particular symptoms. So, when you start to struggle with a cough, fever, or stuffy nose, how do you know what type of medicine to take?Over-The-Counter Medications For The Common ColdUse an analgesic or antipyretic (like Tylenol, Bayer, Aleve, Advil, or Motrin) for:HeadachesGeneralized aches\/painsFacial PainSore throat or hoarsenessFeverUse an antihistamine (like Dimetapp, Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, Tavist, Claritin, Zyrtec, Dramamine, NyQuil, or Allegra) for:Itchy nose\/eyes\/throatSneezingRunny noseUse a decongestant (like Sudafed 12 Hour, Neo-Synephrine, or Afrin) for:Stuffy nose\/congestionUse an antitussive (like Robitussin DM) for:Dry coughUse an expectorant (like Mucinex) for:Productive coughIf you have a cold or flu and feel as if you’re not getting better after several days or a week, it’s important to visit a doctor to make sure it hasn’t morphed into something more serious. Visit\u00a0UPMC Urgent Care\u00a0to receive immediate attention when you need it most."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Treat Common Cold & Flu Symptoms","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/11\/treat-common-cold-flu-symptoms\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]