01/02/2026
Symptomatic treatment for Flu, Covid, Common Cold
Most importantly, these are caused by viruses and antibiotics do not work. If you have severe symptoms lasting longer than 5 days or accompanied by shortness of breath, call Dr. Swiney.
PAIN, FEVER, BODY ACHES, HEADACHES
Motrin/ ibuprofen/ Advil- Adults 600 mg every 6 hours as needed
Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1000 mg every 6 hours as needed. If you have liver problems or other
problems, 650 mg every 8 hours but no more than 3 days.
Children doses are on the bottles.
These medicines can be given at the same time or alternating.
CONGESTION AND RUNNY NOSE
Benadryl/ diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and is the best for drying up a runny nose and taking away the watery eyes, sneezing, nose tickling feeling of a cold and allergies. 25 mg every 4 hours but it can make you sleepy so you may want to save it for night and use Claritin/ loratadine or Zyrtec/ cetirizine or the other non sedating antihistamines when you are up and about or have to drive.
Congestion is treated with decongestants such as Sudafed or Mucinex-D. These medicines can raise your blood pressure and/or keep you from sleeping or make you feel anxious and make your heart beat fast. But they work sometimes. If your symptoms persist, try Flonase/ fluticasone nose spray twice a day. These are great for
allergies. Astepro or Azelastine nose spray is a nasal antihistamine and works well too.
Saline nose spray is great every hour to keep your nose moist and to help get rid of the germs. Of course, a Netti pot is also useful but a little difficult to use at first.
SORE THROATS
These are best treated by keeping your throat moist with hot and cold liquids, cough drops or Chloraseptic spray. Also gargling Benadryl liquid will actually numb the throat. And when you swallow it, will help you sleep. Humidifiers and Vaporizers also help. The pain meds above will help with the pain. If you fear Strep throat, send us a picture of your throat or we will be glad to run a Strep screen in the office. Mucinex now has a numbing sore throat lozenge that works.
COUGH- the most annoying symptom ever
Dextromethorphan is the ingredient for coughs. But drying up drainage and getting rid of the throat tickle also do wonders. My family uses Delsym every 12 hours or Mucinex DM formulation tablets. Propping up on 2 pillows helps but if your symptoms continue or seems more severe, please let us check you out at the office. Other illnesses may start with a simple cough. If you have shortness of breath , please let us know as this is a symptom we will need to see you in the office for. A teaspoon of honey may also help the cough. Zarbees for kids also works in children.
COMBINATION PRODUCTS
Treat only the symptoms you have but for multiple symptoms, the Daytime and Nighttime formulas do great. Just be aware of what is in them and don’t add another product that could cause overdose and side effects. Acetaminophen/ Tylenol can be a fatal overdose so please be aware of what you are taking and what the dosages are.
