Self-Care Treatment of a Common Cold
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Cold symptoms are usually self-limiting and last 7-14 days.
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• Sore throat (mild-moderate pain)
• Congestion, runny noise, sneeezing • Non-productive cough • Low-grade fever, chills, headache, malaise, muscle pain |
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Oral fever >100.4°F
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Chest pain
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Shortness of breath
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Worsening of symptoms
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Development of new symptoms during self-treatment
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Concurrent chronic cardiopulmonary diseases
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AIDS
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Chronic immunosuppressant therapy
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Frail patients of advanced age
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Infants younger than 3 months of age
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Hypersensitivity to recommended OTC meds
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Pregnancy/Lactation
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• Avoid extra-strength, long-acting, or combination products.
• Avoid systemic decongestants during the first trimester. • Oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray is preferred during pregnancy. • Most products are safe for breastfeeding, but decongestants may reduce milk supply. |
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Geriatrics
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• May have more adverse effects to drugs
• May have other health conditions that may affect treatment choices |
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Pediatrics
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• Lack of clinical evidence for safety and efficacy for <2 y/o
• FDA requires product-specific dosing devices • Manufacturers may voluntarily label products with "Do not use in children under 4 years of age." |
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Treatment is targeted at individual symptoms.
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(1) Reduce bothersome symptoms
(2) Prevent transmission |
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Nonpharmacological = mainstay of treatment
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Increased fluid intake
Adequate rest Nutritious diet Increased humidification Saline nasal sprays/drops Salt gargles Hot teas with lemon & honey |
Chicken soup or other broth soups
Breathe Right nasal strips Aromatic oils (camphor, menthol, eucalyptus) Sleeping upright Nasal aspirators Alcohol-based hand sanitizers Lysol and Kleenex Anti-Viral tissues |
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Pharmacological
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Decongestants
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(for ≥4 y/o)
Systemic: pseudoephedrine Intranasal: phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline |
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Antihistamines
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Azelastine nasal spray (for ≥6 y/o)
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Local Anesthetics
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Cepacol (for ≥2 y/o)
Sucrets |
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Systemic Analgesics
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Aspirin (for adults)
acetaminophen ibuprofen naproxen |
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Protussives
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Guaifenesin
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Complementary Therapy
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Zinc
Vitamin C Vitamin D |
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