Flu-like symptoms are defined as cough, sore throat and fevers. It is easy to find effective over-the-counter treatments for flu-like symptoms to help you feel better. When buying medications, pay close attention to the active ingredients on the label. Often two medications with different names might contain the same active ingredient, causing you to accidentally overdose.
Treatments for Fever
You have two major options to treat fever: ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Ibuprofen is also known by the brand names Advil, Motrin, Fenbid and Neurofin. It is an effective fever reducer that is safe in children 6 months and older. It works as an anti-inflammatory, so it decreases fever and also helps with aches and pains. Common side effects include an upset stomach and sometimes ringing in the ears. Rarely, more serious side effects include stomach bleeding and kidney failure.
Acetaminophen is also known as Tylenol, paracetamol and Panadol. Like ibuprofen, it is an effective treatment for fever that also works as a painkiller. When dosed properly, acetaminophen does not cause many side effects and is safe in children of all ages. However, overdose can cause liver failure and death.
Aspirin is also a good fever reducer in adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is not recommended in children as, on rare occasions, it can lead to deadly side effects.
Treatments for Sore Throat
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both effective treatments for sore throats. Other medications for sore throat include sprays or lozenges that contain benzocaine, phenol or menthol. These medicines are available without a doctor's prescription. Don't give lozenges to children under the age of 4, as they are a choking hazard.
Many people find salt water gargles help soothe a sore throat. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 of a tbsp. of salt in 8 oz. of warm water, and gargle it in the back of your throat. Children under the age of 6 generally cannot gargle.
Ice cream, popsicles and other cold food can also treat a sore throat.
Treatments for Cough
Antihistamines can be an effective treatment for cough due to postnasal drip---meaning mucus from your nose slides down the back of your throat into your lungs, triggering a cough. Antihistamines such as loratadine and cetirizine do not cause sleepiness, while antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine tend to make people drowsy.
Cough syrups commonly contain dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant. This drug is effective in adults, but not in children. Side effects include dizziness and nausea.
Guafenesin is another common ingredient in cough syrups. It acts as an expectorant to break up mucus, but it is probably less effective than dextromethorphan. Like dextromethorphan, it can cause dizziness and nausea.
The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends against using cough syrups in children less than two.
