Home care for upper respiratory infections includes:

• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils to reduce irritation.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Eat a healthy diet:
• Low fat diet
• Low cholesterol diet
• Get plenty of rest.
• Try nonprescription cough medicine
• Decongestant medications:
• Only for older children and adults
• Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
• Phenylephrine
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
• Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
• Use a humidifier, nebulizer, or vaporizer in the bedroom at night.
• Try nonprescription sore throat medications:
• Sore throat sprays
• Sore throat gargles
• Sore throat lozenges
• Gently blow the nose.
• Use saline nose drops can help clear mucus away:
• Ocean
• Sea Mist
• You can make your own solution by adding one-half teaspoon of salt (2.5 cc) in one cup (240 cc) of water.

Home treatment for congestion with an upper respiratory infection includes: includes general measures and medications. Medications include oral decongestants, decongestant nasal sprays and antihistamines.

General Measures

• Blow your nose gently. Forceful blowing can cause pain and bleeding.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils if the skin becomes dry.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
• Use saline (saltwater) nose spray, such as Ocean Nasal Mist: saline helps to keep the lining of nasal passages moist. Saline may be used to flush the nasal passages:
• Lie on your back and tilt your head back.
• Apply 2- 4 drops of saline in one on nostril, then wait 1 minute.
• Blow your nose.
• Repeat in the other nostril.

• Decongestants can elevate the blood pressure. Do not use oral decongestants if you have high blood pressure.
• Talk to your doctor before you take oral decongestants if you have:
• Heart disease
• Irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Hyperthyroidism

• Afrin Nasal Spray
• Duration Nasal Spray
• Four-Way Fast Nasal Spray
• Neo-Synephrine Nasal Spray
• Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray

• Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than 3 days. After three days, the nasal tissues become dependent on the medication. When the medication is stopped, the nasal tissue swells and congestion worsens.

• Allerest
• Sudafed Cold and Allergy Tablets
• Triaminic Syrup
• Dimetapp
• Chlor-Trimeton
• Tavist-D
• Tylenol Allergy Sinus Medication

• Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Do not take antihistamines if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take antihistamines if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Do not take antihistamines if you have glaucoma, epilepsy or an enlarged prostate gland.

Home treatment of a cough in adults with an upper respiratory infection includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Raise the head of your bed at night and sleep on your left side: this minimizes acid reflux.
• Use throat lozenges.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce your ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness. Do not take cough medication if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take cough medication if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Talk to your doctor before you take cough medicine if you have asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Medications commonly used to control pain and fever in adults with an upper respiratory infection includes:

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Ketoprofen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Adult dosing is 2 regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 extra-strength (500 mg) every 6 hours.
• Maximum dose is 4,000 mg per day.
• Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease or an allergy to the drug. See the package instructions.
• Common brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and many others.

• Aspirin decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is two regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours with food.
• There are numerous products that contain aspirin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours.
• Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200 or 220 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Aleve.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ketoprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours with food.
• Do not exceed 75 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Orudis KT.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Avoid using alcohol when taking any of these medications.
• Do not mix prescription and non-prescription NSAIDS unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• NSAIDS can interact with other blood thinners, such as Coumadin, and cause bleeding complications.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you have a history of:
• Allergy to aspirin
• Asthma
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Esophageal ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

Home care for a sore throat in an adult with an upper respiratory infection includes:

• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid citrus juice.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods.
• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Try nonprescription sore throat medications:
• Sore throat sprays
• Sore throat gargles
• Sore throat lozenges
• Perform warm salt water gargles several times a day. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (92.5 ml) salt per cup (240 cc) of water.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain
• Acetaminophen for pain

Notify your doctor if you have an upper respiratory infection and any of the following:

• Worsening cough
• Coughing up yellow or brown mucus
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Worsening sore throat
• Inability to swallow
• Severe earache
• Fever over 102 degrees F (38.8 C)
• Repeated vomiting
• Worsening chest pain
• Worsening facial pain
• Worsening nasal drainage:
• Dark yellow, brown or bloody mucus draining from the nose
• Moderate to severe headache
• Worsening neck pain
• Signs of dehydration:
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Decreased urination
• Dizziness
• Confusion

Some upper respiratory infections may cause mild wheezing.

Home care for mild wheezing includes:

• Avoid exposure to smoke.
• Avoid cough medicine.
• Avoid sedative medications.
• Avoid substances that trigger wheezing.
• Drink plenty of liquids to remain hydrated.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Follow asthma home care instructions.
• Learn to use prescribed inhalers correctly.
• Use short-acting inhalers every 20 minutes, or as directed by your doctor.
• Long-acting medications must be used regularly.
• Learn to use a peak flow meter.
• Know the peak flow danger zones.
• Develop a strategy for using your inhaler based on your PEFR reading
• Stay calm during a wheezing attack.

• Green Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 80-100% of personal best represents good control
• Yellow Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 50-80% of personal best represents a moderate attack
• Red Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is less than 50% of personal best represents a severe attack and may identify the need for treatment in an emergency department.

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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