» Coping with Coughs and Colds

*What you may feel …*	*Usually lasts …*	*Treatment that may make you feel better …*	*Call your doctor if …*
Fever & Chills	About 5 days	Drink clear fluids such water, ginger ale or 7-Up. Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Tempra). Also, take a comforting bath.	Fever returns after the initial fever has gone.
Sore Throat	About 5 days	Drink clear fluids (see above) and use throat lozenges or hard candies.	Sore throat last longer than 5 days or swallowing difficulty gets worse day by day.
Dry cough	About 3 weeks	Try using a cool mist vaporizer and use a cough suppressant.	There are long coughing spells or your breathing becomes laboured.
Congested nose	About 12 days	Run a cool mist vaporizer. Use a nasal decongestant spray (like Otrivin or Sinex). Do not use for more than 3 days in a row.
Headache & Muscle Aches	About 3 days	Use acetaminophen as suggested above. Take a comforting bath.
Loss of Appetite		Usually people aren’t hungry when they have a cold. Drinking fluids is most important.