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USE
COLD SELF-CARE
TECHNIQUES
TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR COLD SYMPTOMS. SEEK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF YOU DO NOT THINK YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE GRADUALLY
IMPROVING WITHIN 7 DAYS AND/OR YOU EXPERIENCE
OTHER SYMPTOMS.
TIPS
FOR COLD SYMPTOM RELIEF...
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OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS |
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Follow the directions
for over-the-counter
(non-prescription)
MEDICATIONS that include: |
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COUGH
SUPPRESSANTS |
(i.e. Robitussin DM®)
— tells the brain to stop coughing. Don’t take them if you are
coughing up mucus. |
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EXPECTORANTS |
(i.e. Guaifenesin cough medicine) — helps thin mucus so it can be
easily coughed up. |
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FEVER & BODY ACHE
REDUCERS |
(i.e. Tylenol®, Motrin®, Ibuprofen®, Advil®) |
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DECONGESTANTS |
(i.e.
Sudafed®) — shrinks nasal passages and reduce congestion. |
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NASAL SALINE
SPRAY |
for
nasal congestion relief. |
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THROAT LOZENGES |
for
sore throat |
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Ask
your Pharmacist if you have questions or need to find one of these
products.
To receive over-the-counter medications to help relieve your
symptoms, visit the Schiffert Health Center's Self-Care Cold Clinic in McComas
Hall.
PRINT THIS FORM. NO APPOINTMENT
NECESSARY! During regular hours of operation, pick up (or print
out) and completely fill out the "Over-The-Counter
Medicine Request Form" and take it to the SHC Pharmacy. |
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AT HOME SELF-CARE |
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GARGLE with salt water
to help soothe a sore throat. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of plain salt in a
glass of very warm water. |
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Increase FLUIDS such as
water, juice, hot tea, soups, etc. Hot liquids can help relieve nasal
congestion & soothe a sore throat. |
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WASH your hands often |
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EAT regular,
well-balanced meals |
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STAY HOME and get more
REST. SLEEP at least 7-9 hours per night |
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If you have trouble
sleeping because of stuffy nose or nasal drainage, use extra pillows
to PROP yourself up at a 45° angle.
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Use soothing music,
peaceful surroundings, rest, and/or a fun book to relax and combat
pain. |
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AVOID smoke & alcohol.
They can aggravate and prolong symptoms. |
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Take HOT steamy SHOWERS
— helps suppress coughs and loosen congestion. |
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Use HUMIDIFIER or
VAPORIZER to keep air moist and sooth irritated nasal and throat
passages. |
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Use a MENTHOLATED
OINTMENT around your nose. This will help open breathing passages and
soothe irritated skin. |
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For more information
about “Colds” visit www.healthcenter.vt.edu/Resources |
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COLD
& FLU QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Can Chicken Soup or Hot
Tea Clear my Cold Symptoms? |
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Chicken soup & other
warm beverages can help clear nasal clog, prevent dehydration, and
soothe the uncomfortably inflamed passages of your nose and throat.
There is no proof that these foods/beverages will help drive the virus
from your body. |
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How effective are
natural remedies such as zinc, echinacea, & vitamin C?
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In some individuals,
natural remedies and preventive measures seem to help. Americans
spend billions on supplements each year. While some studies have
shown them to be effective for reducing the length or severity of the
cold and flu, the evidence remains inconclusive because it is
difficult to measure how sick the person would have been without the
treatment.
The bottom line is that
although these supplements appear to be safe and they may do some
good, we just don’t know. Researchers have not proved that these
things can prevent a cold or the flu, reduce symptoms, or rid a body
of a virus. |
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What about anti-viral
medications? |
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In most healthy
people, influenza or “FLU” will go away in about 10 days. There are 2
types of anti-viral medications that can be prescribed for the Flu but
they only decrease severity and duration of symptoms by 1 or 2 days,
at the most. They are not effective against Cold viruses. Both
anti-viral medications have some common side effects. Both must be
started within 24-48 hours of first symptoms of the Flu. One drug,
Amantadine, is only effective for Influenza A virus. The other drug,
Tamiflu, is expensive but works against Influenza A and B virus. If
you think you have the FLU, call to make an appointment with your
healthcare provider within 24 hours of experiencing FLU symptoms.
Since these drugs have side effects and not everyone can take them,
your healthcare provider will need to evaluate you before prescribing
one of these medications. |
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