What should I do if I think that I have a viral upper
respiratory infection (URI)?
Get plenty of rest and drink
plenty of fluids. Also take one or more of the following
medications:
- For fever and pain, Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is generally preferred. Ibuprofen
(Advil®) and/or naproxen
(Naprosyn®) appear to carry
less risk for Reye's syndrome than aspirin.
- For other symptoms, over-the-counter cold (OTC)
preparations (Nyquil®, Tylenol
Cold & Sinus®, others) can
provide significant relief. Be sure to read product labels to find
the best cold preparation to match your symptoms and to determine
if that medicine is safe for you.
- To dry out the nose and relieve nasal obstruction, try a
traditional antihistamine (diphenhydramine [Benadryl®], others). All antihistamines are best
used for allergy, but they can be helpful for suppressing some
viral URI symptoms. Because these products can make you sleepy,
avoid driving and other complex tasks when taking these
medications. Newly available OTC loratadine (Claritin®) is non-sedating but may not be as
effective for suppressing viral URI symptoms.
- To relieve a "stuffy," clogged nose, try an oral
decongestant (pseudoephedrine [Sudafed®], others). Note that these products can
be associated with insomnia, nervousness, and irritability in some
patients. Often decongestants are combined with other drugs
(especially antihistamines) in OTC medications. A "-D" at the end
of a medication's name suggests that the medication includes an
oral decongestant.
- To make blowing your nose easier, take guaifenesin
(Robitussin®,
Mucofen®, Humibid
LA®, Mucinex®, Humibid-e®). These products thin mucous and can
help thin thick discolored drainage.
- To suppress coughing, taking dextromethorphan can be
helpful as a cough suppressant.
Prescription anti-flu medications (amantadine, rimantadine,
zanamivir, oseltamivir) can be used to treat and prevent
flu.Typically they must be started within 48 hours of the start of
symptoms.These products shorten the severity and duration of the
infection, but they can have significant side effects.
When should I seek treatment?
Viral infections can
be associated with bacterial overgrowth and occasionally lead to a
bacterial infection (acute bacterial rhinosinusitis), which
typically requires antibiotic therapy. Viral URIs also may worsen
asthma symptoms (wheezing) in patients with asthma; such symptoms
also require further evaluation and treatment.
Seek medical advice or treatment if:
- Symptoms are getting worse after 7 days
- Symptoms are unchanged or getting worse after 10 days
- You experience shortness of breath or have any respiratory
difficulty
- You experience a high fever (greater than 102°F)
- You develop eye pain, swelling and/or vision changes
- You develop severe head or facial pains, or swelling