΢ÃÜȦ

At home care for cold, flu, COVID-19 symptoms

Click on a symptom for suggestions on how to manage with home remedies and medicines you can purchase without a prescription (aka over-the-counter)*
Fever, Body Aches, Headache, Pain	Cough	Congestion
Dehydration	Nausea	Sore Throat

*The Skidshop & Atrium carry many of over-the-counter medications listed

Anti-viral medications & medical evaluation | Things to consider before taking over the counter medications  | Sample Dosing of pain medication

ANTi-VIral medication and medical evaluation

Anti-viral medication: If you have certain health conditions, including diabetes or moderate to severe asthma, starting anti-viral medications within the first few days of illness can help prevent severe symptoms and complications. Please reach out to your home medical provider or Health Services as soon as possible to discuss if these medications might be right for you. 

Medical evaluation: If you have any questions, concerns or to further discuss healthcare needs with our team, please visit our appointment scheduling page.

Things to consider before taking over the counter medications:

1. Interactions with chronic medications: If you take a daily medication, before taking any over-the-counter medications, please or call your pharmacy where the medication was dispensed.
2. Active Ingredients: Check labels for active ingredients: Medications can be sold under many different brand names but contain the same generic drugs or multiple generic drugs. Read labels carefully to avoid taking more than one medication containing the same drug. For example, acetaminophen is contained in Dayquil, Sudafed PE, and Mucinex Sinus Max.
3. Underlying health conditions, medication allergies: If you have underlying health conditions or medication allergies and have questions about what is and is not safe to take please contact Health Services for help with symptom management.
4. If these medications are ineffective or if you have questions, please contact our office. 

SYMPTOMS & OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS AND SUPPORTIVE MANAGEMENT 

Fever, Body Aches, Headache, Pain

To start take EITHER:

- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): take 650 mg-1,000 mg every 8 hours as needed (up to 3 times a day). Do not take more than 3,000 mg of Acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.  **Many cold and sinus medications contain acetaminophen so make sure to factor this into your total daily dose.**

OR

- An NSAID medication like: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400 mg every 6 hours as needed OR Naproxen (Aleve) 220 mg 2 tabs every 12 hours as needed (Do not take both Naproxen and Ibuprofen in the same day).

If your fever/pain returns prior to the time when your next dose is due, you can alternate dosing of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (or Naproxen) - see below for example.

Cough

• - Honey alone (about 1 teaspoon) or in tea.
• - Hot tea
• - Voice rest
• - Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to loosen mucous.  (Brand name ex: Mucinex, Robitussin)  Follow package instructions 
• - Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.  (Brand name ex: Delsym) Follow package instructions.
  • - Dextromethorphan can interact with medications used for anxiety and/or depression. If you are on one of these medications, contact health center for guidance with cough suppression.

Congestion

• - Nasal Saline Spray (salt water spray for the nose for nasal congestion)
• - Extra Strength Nasal Saline (aka hypertonic nasal saline) - can reduce symptoms/inflammation, reduces contagiousness, and may reduce duration of symptoms
• - Steam inhalation (ex: hot shower)
• - Decongestant - helps open nasal passages/sinuses and dry up mucous (ex: pseudoephedrine)

Dehydration

• - Stay hydrated! Drink 2-3 liters of water a day.  Hydration is especially important if you have fevers and sweats.
• - Once you are thirsty you are already behind on fluids. 

Nausea

• - Sip small amounts of liquid (1 tablespoon or 15 mL) every 15 minutes (water, Pedialyte, apple juice, Gatorade or similar) 
• - Begin to eat bland foods (saltines, white bread, rice, mashed potatoes, cereal, applesauce) after 8 hours
• - Resume regular diet 24-48 hours after nausea stops
• - Consider a pregnancy test

Sore Throat

• - Suck on hard candy or cough drops
• - Swallow 1 tsp of honey in tea or by itself
• - Gargle with warm salt water 4 times a day.  (Use 1/2tsp salt in 8 oz water)
• - Stay hydrated; around 8 cups of water a day
• - Use a humidifier (dry air makes sore throat pain worse)
• - See ‘Pain’ recommendations above

Sample Dosing schedule for fever management:

(all suggested doses are as needed) 

9 am: Acetaminophen 325 mg - 2 tablets

1pm: Ibuprofen 200 mg - 2 tablets

5pm: Acetaminophen 325 mg - 2 tablets

9pm: Ibuprofen 200 mg - 2 tablets 

1am (if awake): Acetaminophen 325 mg - 2 tablets 

5am (if awake): Ibuprofen 200 mg - 2 tablets

Updated January 2026