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Girls' VersionColds and Flu:
Treatment
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What should I do to get better?
Here are some tips for helping your body fight off colds and flu:
- Drink lots of fluids, especially water (at least 8 glasses/day)
- Get plenty of rest
- Don't smoke and avoid people who do don't drink alcohol
What medicine should I take if I have a cold or flu?
There are a lot of different kinds of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that are sold at pharmacies and grocery stores. Although OTC medicines can't cure a cold or flu, they can sometimes make you feel better by helping to treat your symptoms. It's important to talk to your health care provider, parent(s), or guardian(s) about what medicine is best for you to take. (Remember, small children should not take these drugs).
Here are a few things to think about before you choose an over-the-counter medicine:
- Know your symptoms and choose the medicine that treats only those symptoms. Also, not all drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cold and flu. Take only FDA approved medicine.
- Read the label on the medicine and follow the directions. Be sure to take the right amount of medicine for your height, weight, and/or age at the right times. For example; some medicine is safe to take more than once a day, while other medicine is meant to be taken only once a day.
- Know the side effects. The medicine's label will also list the possible side effects. Some OTC medications cause drowsiness or can't be taken with other medicine.
- Talk to your health care provider. Tell your health care provider what medicines, herbs, vitamins or other supplements you are taking and if you have any health conditions such as high blood pressure.
Types of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines
There are several different types of OTC medicines (medicine that does not require a prescription from a doctor) that treat cold and flu symptoms.
ALERT: Do NOT take Aspirin or Aspirin-containing products if you have the flu.
| OTC or non-prescription medicine | What symptoms it may help treat |
| Suppressant (Examples: Robitussin®, Delsym®) | Cough (Don't take if you're coughing up mucus) |
| Analgesic (Examples: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen) | Aches and pains |
| Decongestant (Examples: Sudafed®, Mucinex®) and nasal decongestant sprays (Examples: Simply Saline®, Vicks®, Sinex®, Neo-Synephrine hydrochloride®) | Stuffy nose (Reduces swelling in the nose) |
Do antibiotics help treat the common cold?
No. Antibiotics are medications prescribed by doctors to treat infections caused by bacteria. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Taking an antibiotic will not treat colds.
Is there any treatment for the flu?
The best way to prevent getting the flu is to get vaccinated, and to stay away from people who are sick with flu symptoms. Tamiflu® is a prescription medicine that is used to treat both children and adults who have had flu symptoms for no more than 2 days. It is important to let your health care provider know if you are taking other medication or if you have any allergies.
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Updated: 3/17/2011
