Managing Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) for Adults
You can expect the symptoms of your cold or upper respiratory infection to last 14 to 21 days.
A dry hacking cough may continue up to three or four weeks. To help you recover:
Drink more fluids.
Get enough rest.
Use a humidifier or increase time in a steamy shower.
Keep in mind that green or yellow secretion do not equal bacterial infection.
Additional recommendations for managing your symptoms:
Fever, headache, or pain
Acetaminophen (Tylenol™) 325 mg 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for the first 5-7 days of infection.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol™) 500 mg, 2 tablets every 8 hours as needed for the first 5-7 days of infection.
• Maximum dose: 3000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Avoid combination products that contain acetaminophen (read the label) while taking scheduled
acetaminophen.
• Use lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration to reduce the risk of serious adverse effects.
Ibuprofen (Advil™, Motrin™) 200 mg, 3 tablets every 6 hours-8 hours.
• Avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, or history of a gastric
ulcer or gastric surgery
• Maximum dose: 2400 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours.
• Use lowest needed dose for the shortest possible time frame to reduce the risk of serious side effects.
Do not use longer than 7 days, unless directed by your health care provider.
• Take with food to prevent getting an upset stomach.
Sore throat
Take acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen as above.
Use throat lozenges with benzocaine which help numb your sore throat (Cepacol®, chloraseptic brands).
Gargle with saltwater several times a day to help relieve throat pain. Mix 1/4 teaspoon (1.4 grams) of table salt
in 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of warm water. Gargle the solution and then spit it out.
Sinus drainage, sinus/nose/ear congestion
(nose drainage, drainage in the back of the throat, sinus pressure, facial pain, nose stuffiness, ear pressure)
It is common to have nasal drainage of various colors with a viral cold or upper respiratory infection. These usually get
better with time and do not require antibiotics.
Saline sinus rinse – Mix and use according to directions on the product (NeilMed©, XClear©).
Nasal spray (Flonase®, Nasacort®) - 2 sprays per nostril once a day after a saline sinus irrigation.
Oxymetazoline nasal spray (Afrin®, Sinex®)
• Take two or three times a day for 3 days.
• Do not use longer than 5 days. After 5 days, use saline nasal spray or the saline sinus rinse
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) capsules - Take every 4 to 6 hours per package instructions for sinus congestion.
Available behind the pharmacy counter.
• Avoid if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or take beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, etc).