Cold, Flu and Allergies
Health Services/Health Education provides a Cold Self Care service in the Potter Building. Located next to the waiting area, Cold Self Care provides the student a quick and easy access to information and medication for the common cold. The Cold Self Care Information pamphlets will help the individual determine whether he/she has a cold, flu, or allergy; as well as symptoms and remedies (and how the remedies work). Of course, any student who has paid the health fee (required of all full-time students, optional for part-time students) can utilize all of our services and see a physician. Students are encouraged to return to Health Services to see a physician if...
- Symptoms do not improve within 24 hours.
- Temperature of 101 degree or greater.
- Shortness of breath.
- Cough up blood or yellow/green phlegm.
Non-smokers have fewer colds and other upper respiratory infections than smokers!
Help Yourself
The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses in the world. Each year the average URI students develops three colds resulting in a substantial amount of time lost from school.
Most colds are caused by rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus but other germs are also involved. Although there is no cure for the common cold, there are a number of practical things to do from both a prevention standpoint and caring for yourself when you are suffering from cold symptoms.
WHAT TO DO
To Limit Infection Spread:
- Stay home the first (2) days.
- Cover your mouth when coughing, and nose when sneezing.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Rest to conserve energy for your immune system.
- Take Vitamin C in doses not exceeding 1 gram a day.
- Consider zinc lozenges within the first 24 hours of illness.
- Avoid alcohol. It suppresses your immune system.
- Stop smoking to allow for better mucus clearance via your cilia. (Microscopic hairs in the respiratory tree.
- Drink fluids to liquefy and thus help mobilize secretions. This will also help prevent dehydration secondary to fever and increased fluid loss through secretions.
- Differentiating the common cold from other upper respiratiry tract illness is the job of your health providers. When in doubt call the Triage Nurse at Health Services (874-2675) to assist you.
- Strep throat will usually be accompanied by a fever, a red throat with purulence and tender lymph nodes in your neck.
- Sinusitis is often accompanied by frontal headache, facial pressure, purulent nasal discharge and nasal stuffiness.
- Wheezing may mean bronchitis.
- Stiff neck or a rash requires you to be seen.
- Increase clear fluid intake. Drink plenty of clear juices and water.
- Steam inhalation. Breathing in steam from a bowl decreases the local irritation that accompanies colds. It also helps to deceases pressure from swollen membranes.
- Decongestants such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) help shrink blood vessels and swollen membranes in the nasal passages and thus relieves congestion and makes breathing easier.
- Antihistamines such as Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine Maleate) helps reduce the symptoms of allergy (running nose and sneezing).
- Tylenol:(acetaminophen), a mild pain reliever, is an effective treatment of the common symptoms of headache, sore throat and minor aches and pains. It also helps to reduce fever.
- Aleve (Naproxen sodium) and Motrin/Advil (ibruprofen)are anti-inflammatory /pain relievers with fever-reducing properties which are very effective. These medications should be taken with food to avoid gastric upset.
- Increase clear fluids. They are the safest, most effective and least expensive cough remedy. They help to loosen mucus and relieve some irritation.
- Hard candy or cough drops help alleviate dry, tickling cough.
- Robitussin DM (Guaifensis and Dextromethorphan). an expectorant and cough suppressant, helps to loosen mucus.
- Gargle with warm or salt water. This will help to relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon of salt in glass of warm water every four hours.
- Hard candy can help to soothe a sore throat.
- Cepacol lozenges also help to soothe the throat tissues so swallowing is less painful. Dosage: 1-2 lozenges four times a day.
