Upper respiratory infection treatment

While medication won’t “cure” an upper respiratory infection, it can help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. Common forms of medication used to treat URIs include:

- Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce headaches and fever associated with a URI.

- Decongestants: Decongestant medication such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) are widely available as nasal sprays or oral tablets. These drugs can loosen up mucus in the nose and reduce the stuffiness associated with a URI.

- Cough suppressants: Over-the-counter cough medicine such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin) help to suppress coughing and reduce the symptoms of a URI.

- Antihistamines: Antihistamines such as Benadryl are widely available over-the-counter, and help reduce the sneezing and stuffiness associated with a URI.

If your doctor suspects that your upper respiratory infection has been caused by a bacterial pathogen, they may prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat the condition. URIs caused by bacteria are rare but usually respond to antibiotic medication.

Most URIs will start to go away within a few days. There are several methods you can use to reduce symptoms and encourage recovery. These self-care tips include:

- Drink plenty of fluids. To maintain hydration, drink plenty of water, fruit juice, and broths. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these substances can dry you out.

- Rest. To speed up recovery, make sure to get plenty of rest. Avoid social contact, and refrain from strenuous activity until your symptoms begin to go away.

- Use a humidifier. To relieve coughing and loosen mucus, use a cool air humidifier to keep your home moisturized.

- Supplements: Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea may help shorten the recovery time of an upper respiratory infection. More evidence is needed to confirm this, so talk to your doctor to see if these alternative medicines are right for you.