What medicine is effective for a cold and runny nose?
Recently, cold and flu cases have been on the rise in many parts of the country, especially during the change of seasons. Colds and runny noses have become a common problem that bothers many people. In response to this hot topic, we have compiled hot discussions and expert advice from the entire Internet in the past 10 days to help everyone relieve symptoms quickly.
1. Common causes of colds and runny noses

Colds and runny noses are usually caused by viral infections. Common pathogens include rhinovirus, coronavirus, etc. Symptoms mainly include nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, which may be accompanied by sore throat, cough, etc.
| Symptoms | Possible reasons | duration |
|---|---|---|
| Watery nasal discharge | Early stage of viral cold | 1-3 days |
| Thick yellow-green nasal discharge | Possible bacterial infection | 3-7 days |
| persistent nasal congestion | Swelling of nasal mucosa | up to 2 weeks |
2. Commonly used drugs for treating colds and runny noses
Depending on the severity of symptoms and individual differences, the following medications may be selected:
| drug type | Representative medicine | function | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| antihistamines | Loratadine, Cetirizine | Reduce nasal discharge | May cause drowsiness |
| Decongestant | pseudoephedrine | Relieve nasal congestion | Use with caution in patients with high blood pressure |
| antipyretic analgesics | Acetaminophen, ibuprofen | Reduce fever and relieve pain | Be aware of dosage restrictions |
| Chinese patent medicine | Ganmao Qingre Granules, Lianhua Qingwen | Comprehensive symptom relief | Pay attention to repeated ingredients |
3. Medication precautions
1.Avoid duplication of medications: Many combination cold medicines contain the same ingredients, and taking them at the same time may lead to overdose.
2.Medication for special populations: Pregnant women, children, and the elderly should take medication under the guidance of a doctor.
3.drug interactions: People taking other drugs should consult a physician or pharmacist.
4.Symptom duration: If symptoms persist for more than 7 days without improvement, you should consider seeking medical treatment.
4. Auxiliary relief methods
1.Drink more water: Staying hydrated helps thin mucus.
2.Salt water rinse: Rinse the nasal cavity with saline to relieve nasal congestion.
3.Get proper rest: Ensuring adequate sleep helps the immune system recover.
4.air humidification: Keeping indoor humidity at 40%-60% can reduce nasal discomfort.
5. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
You should seek medical treatment promptly when the following situations occur:
| Symptoms | possible prompt |
|---|---|
| High fever that persists (>39℃) | severe infection |
| difficulty breathing | lower respiratory tract infection |
| severe headache | Sinusitis and other complications |
| Symptoms persist for more than 10 days | Antibiotic treatment may be needed |
6. Suggestions for preventing colds
1.wash hands frequently: Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
2.avoid contact: Try to reduce close contact with cold patients.
3.Enhance immunity: Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
4.Get vaccinated: Get a flu shot before flu season.
Among the cold treatment remedies that have been hotly discussed on the Internet recently, experts remind us to treat them rationally. Methods such as "putting onions in the room to cure colds" and "drinking alcohol to kill bacteria" lack scientific basis and may even bring risks. It is recommended to focus on scientific medication, supplemented by appropriate rest and nutritional supplements.
Finally, a reminder that the medication recommendations provided in this article are for reference only, and the specific medication regimen should be determined based on personal circumstances and doctor’s recommendations. Especially during the epidemic, if respiratory symptoms occur, nucleic acid testing should be carried out in time to rule out the possibility of new coronary pneumonia.
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