- Fever over 101.5 F
- Symptoms get worse or new symptoms occur after you begin to self treat
- Asthma, COPD or other respiratory condition
- Cardiovascular conditions including Congestive Heart Failure
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Immunosuppression from a health condition or medications that suppress the immune system
- AIDS
- Elderly and frail
- Less than 2 years old
- Allergic or hypersensitive to over the counter medications
- Cough that lasts more than 7 days
- Cough that produces yellow, tan or green mucous or is secreting pus
- Cough from drug
- Cough is from inhaling irritants or foreign material into lungs
- Cough is accompanied by chills, night sweats or weight loss
- Rash
- Swollen ankles or legs
- Pregnancy
- Are taking drugs known as MAOI inhibitors or have taken them within 14 days. MAOI's include the following drugs: Zelapar (selegiline), Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and Parnate (tranylcypromine).
• Quitting smoking and avoiding inhaled irritants such as pollen, dust and fragrances can help decrease irritation and inflammation of the throat, soothing a cough.
• Staying hydrated is recommended .
• The use of a humidifier or steamy showers.
• Using a plain saline nasal spray can help relieve sinus pressure.
• Flushing the nasal passages using products like the Neti Pot can help relieve sinus pressure.
• Applying a warm, damp washcloth or other warm compress across the nose and sinus region can help relieve sinus pressure.
• Cough drop products, and consuming warm tea (with honey or lemon) or soup can help to treat cough and soar throat.
• Getting adequate rest.
• Maintaining a healthy diet.
• Keeping the child in an upright position can help to drain the nasal passages and relieve congestion.
• If the child can not blow his or her nose, you can clear the nose by using a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, insert the tip of the syringe into the nostril, then gradually open the bulb of the syringe.
• Avoiding inhaled irritants such as pollen, dust and fragrances can help decrease irritation and inflammation of the throat, soothing a cough.
• Keeping the child hydrated is recommended.
• The use of a humidifier or steamy showers.
• Consuming warm tea (with honey or lemon) or soup can help with cough and soar throat.
• Ensure the child gets enough rest and maintains a healthy diet.
Drug Therapy Options:
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine) (more effective but may cause drowsiness)
• Claritin (loratadine)
• Zyrtec(cetirizine)
• Allegra(fexofenadine)
Complementary Products:
• Cool Mist Humidifier
• Navage Saline Nasal Irrigation
• Cough Drops With Menthol
• Vick's Vaporub
• Saline Nasal Spray
Drug Therapy:
• Mucinex(guaifenesin)
Complementary Products:
• Cool Mist Humidifier
• Navage Saline Nasal Irrigation
• Cough Drops With Menthol
• Vick's Vaporub
• Saline Nasal Spray
Drug Therapy:
• Children's Sudafed (phenylephrine)(consult with your doctor if the patient has heart or blood pressure conditions)
Complementary Products:
• Cool Mist Humidifier
• Cough Drops With Menthol
• Vick's Vaporub Children's
• Ocean Saline Nasal Spray
Therapy Options:
Complementary Products:
• Cool Mist Humidifier
• Cough Drops With Menthol
• Vick's Vaporub Children's
• Ocean Saline Nasal Spray