Common Colds(Upper Respiratory Infections)

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Patient education: Upper Respiratory Infections

UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION (URI)

: An upper respiratory infection (aka the “common cold”) is an infection of the upper respiratory tract most commonly due to a virus. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, so they do absolutely nothing for a cold and can actually cause bacterial resistance and side effects.

Symptoms include a scratchy or sore throat (which usually gets better in a few days), feeling bad, runny nose, congestion, poor appetite, difficulty sleeping, and irritability. Symptoms usually last 2 weeks in children and about 10 days in adults, though the cough typically lingers on for an additional 1 to 2 weeks.

Return or follow up with your doctor if symptoms fail to improve after 2 weeks, or if symptoms get worse after they were improving.

Home care

Wash hands frequently and cough/sneeze into your arm to avoid spread of infection.

Hydration and warm fluids (tea, chicken soup, etc) thins secretions and soothes airways. .

Nasal saline helps with congestion. It temporarily removes nasal secretions. Use a squeeze bottle or neti pot. Saline irrigation must be prepared from sterile/bottled water. Tap water carries infections.

Honey ( children over 1 yr of age) may help for nighttime cough – Take ½ to 1 teaspoon alone or diluted in liquid (tea, juice) .

Humidified air – A cool mist humidifier/vaporizer may add moisture to air to loosen secretions. Alternatively you can breathe in air in the shower or over a kettle. .

Ibuprofen or Tylenol can improve headaches, ear or throat pain, fever, muscle or joint pain, and feeling bad. .

COUGH-SUPPRESSANT & EXPECTORANT MEDICATION:

You are to use a cough medication as needed for relief of symptoms. This medicine is a combination of an expectorant (to make the mucous thinner and more easily “coughed up”) and a cough suppressant (to reduce the frequency of coughing).

The cough-suppressant medicine is related to narcotics. You may experience mild nausea and sleepiness. Some patients who are very sensitive to narcotics may have stomach pain from this medicine. Taking the medicine with food reduces these side effects. Do not drive or work with machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

The expectorant should have no side effects. Iodine-containing expectorants (such as organidin) should not be taken by persons with active thyroid disease unless approved by your doctor.

Call the doctor if you develop shortness of breath, hives, rash, itching, lightheadedness, or severe nausea and vomiting.

NON-SEDATING PRESCRIPTION ANTIHISTAMINE:

An antihistamine has been prescribed to control your symptoms. Antihistamines are used for many reasons, including itching, watering eyes, runny nose, allergic swelling, hives, and insect stings. The new prescription antihistamines (Allegra, Hismanal, and Clarinex) do not cause drowsiness. However, they can cause other side effects of antihistamines.

Other common side effects of antihistamines include dry mouth and eyes. In older persons, antihistamines can occasionally cause urinary retention, constipation, and trouble focusing the eyes. You should not take erythromycin or Nizoral (ketoconazole, an antifungal drug) with Seldane or Hismanal.

Common Cough medications prescribed:

TESSALON PEARLES:

Tessalon Perles (benzonatate). This is a non-narcotic medicine for relief of cough. It usually works in about 15-20 minutes and lasts around four hours.

Tessalon Perles should be swallowed. They should not be chewed or dissolved in the mouth (this can produce temporary numbing of the mouth and choking can occur).

If you develop any adverse effects such as wheezing, shortness of breath, hives, rash, itching, or lightheadedness, please return at once.

COUGH-SUPPRESSANT & EXPECTORANT MEDICATION:

You are to use a cough medication as needed for relief of symptoms. This medicine is a combination of an expectorant (to make the mucous thinner and more easily “coughed up”) and a cough suppressant (to reduce the frequency of coughing).

The cough-suppressant medicine is related to narcotics. You may experience mild nausea and sleepiness. Some patients who are very sensitive to narcotics may have stomach pain from this medicine. Taking the medicine with food reduces these side effects. Do not drive or work with machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

The expectorant should have no side effects. Iodine-containing expectorants (such as organidin) should not be taken by persons with active thyroid disease unless approved by your doctor.

Call the doctor if you develop shortness of breath, hives, rash, itching, lightheadedness, or severe nausea and vomiting.

FOLLOW-UP CARE:

You should contact your private physician for follow-up care. If you are unable to get a timely appointment, or if you are worsening, call us. If you need assistance in finding a Primary Provider or Allergy Specialist please call 410-601-WELL(9355)