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:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Try nonprescription cough medicine
- Decongestant medications:
- Acetaminophen for pain
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain
- Use a humidifier, nebulizer, or vaporizer in the bedroom at night.
- Try nonprescription sore throat medications:
- 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.
