You’re pretty sure you have a cold – your nose is stuffed up, your throat is sore and you have a minor headache. What can you do to feel better?

First and foremost, keep an eye on your symptoms, said Dr. Joey Romar of Aultman Orrville Dunlap Family Physicians on a recent Health Matters program. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold and other upper respiratory infections (URIs) such as flu, COVID and strep throat. Here’s a guide.

Call your provider when in doubt because flu, COVID and especially strep throat can turn serious. Strep throat should be treated with antibiotics, while flu and COVID should not be treated with antibiotics. Antivirals may help flu and COVID symptoms.

Treating URI Symptoms for Adults

According to Dr. Romar, you can take steps at home to feel better when you have a URI, though you should call your provider first for recommendations that fit your unique needs:

• Drink plenty of fluids. You can get dehydrated when your body is fighting off an infection. Be careful, though. People with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or kidney disease have a limit to the amount of liquids they should drink. Check with your provider for guidance.
  
  
• Eat chicken noodle soup. Warm liquids can reduce congestion in your nose and throat. Soup also gives your body much-needed fluids.
  
  
• Try honey. Honey is dangerous for infants and very young children, but it can be a natural cough suppressant for adults. A cup of hot tea with lemon and honey hits on multiple ways to feel better: You get fluids, the hot liquid eases your congestion and the honey reduces your cough.
  
  
• Gargle with salt water. It helps reduce inflammation, loosens mucus and makes your throat feel less sore.
  
  
• Use a cool mist humidifier if you feel dry.

What about over-the-counter medications? Dr. Romar offers a word of caution. “There are many wonderful over-the-counter medications that are safe and can make you feel better,” she said. “But there are side effects, and the medicine’s effectiveness and the dose you should take are very individualized. Your provider can help you.”

Mixing over-the-counter medications is one of the most common problems Dr. Romar sees with patients. “I’ve had patients accidentally overdose because they took more than one over-the-counter medication with the same active ingredient,” she said.

Treating URI Symptoms in Children

Treating URI symptoms in children is more complicated because there are very few medications besides acetaminophen and ibuprofen that the American Academy of Pediatrics considers to be safe, Dr. Romar said.

Remember that even acetaminophen and ibuprofen are not right for all children, especially those with underlying medical conditions.

“For kids, the therapeutic level of medication is very close to the toxic level,” she said. “Always call your child’s provider before giving them any medication.”

There are other ways to help your child feel better. Make sure they get plenty of rest, and keep them home from school if appropriate.

For croup, take your child out into the cool air to ease their cough. A cool mist humidifier or a warm shower can also help clear congestion and drainage with croup or other URIs.

For infants, use a saline nasal spray and suction bulb to help clear their nasal passages. “Babies don’t like nasal saline, but it does help clear their airway,” Dr. Romar said. “Use a couple drops of over-the-counter saline in their nose and then suction it out with the bulb.”

Older children can benefit from honey and gargling with salt water.

Looking for a Provider?

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has many providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.