Painkillers like acetylsalicylic acid (ASA – the drug in medicines such as Aspirin), ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) can relieve cold-related symptoms such as headache, earache and joint pain. These painkillers can also lower a fever. They don't help to relieve a cough or stuffy nose.
"Paracetamol is probably more effective at bringing down temperature, so it's almost like a double-whammy, you get rid of your headache and bring your temperature down," Mr Kanani explained.
Nurofen Cold & Flu PE Tablets contain two active ingredients, ibuprofen and phenylephrine hydrochloride which help to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu, such as headache, aches and pains, fever, sore throat and nasal or sinus congestion.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective at treating pain and fever in children and adults. Most other medicines used for colds and flu, including 'cough and cold' formulations and herbal remedies, have limited evidence that they are effective, but some people find them helpful.
Treating Your Cold
Treating your symptoms will not make your cold go away, but will help you feel better. Antibiotics are almost never needed to treat a common cold. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever and relieve muscle aches.
There's no cure for a cold, but you can look after yourself at home by: resting, drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthily. taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to reduce any fever or discomfort.
Nurofen Cold and Flu contains a decongestant ingredient. Some antihistamines can help with symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes.
It's better to take medicines such as paracetamol to address symptoms like pain, and to rest and drink lots of fluids to stay well hydrated. In a small number of cases, a sore throat may be part of a more serious illness.
Panadol Cold Relief PSE is a non drowsy formula for fast and effective relief of blocked and / or runny nose and other cold symptoms.
But evidence that using drugs to reduce the fever prolongs flu or a cold is much less conclusive. Virtually every alternative and conventional medicine (with the exception of anti-virals for flu) appears to have no significant impact on a cold's duration.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine.
Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and other antihistamines may stop sneezing and a runny nose. Cough suppressants: Medications such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin® and Vicks DayQuil Cough®) and codeine can help reduce coughing.
Nurofen Cold and Flu provides effective temporary relief of the major symptoms associated with cold and flu without causing drowsiness, including headache, sore throat, sinus pain, body aches & pains, runny nose, blocked nose and fever.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
PANADOL COLD & FLU ORIGINAL FORMULA is used for the fast effective temporary relief of the symptoms of cold & flu. PANADOL COLD & FLU ORIGINAL FORMULA caplets contain the active ingredients paracetamol, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide.
Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days. Those symptoms should improve over time.
Relieving coughs and sore throats
Pain relievers like Nurofen for Children can help to temporarily relieve pain associated with colds and flu, and sore throats.
Nurofen Cold & Flu contains ibuprofen to temporarily reduce inflammation (the source of cold & flu symptoms such as sinus pain, sore throat, headache and body aches), plus a decongestant to help relieve a blocked nose.
A study carried out by the University of Southampton showed that compared with paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both ibuprofen and paracetamol provide no advantage for patients overall with respiratory tract infections (otherwise known as colds or sore throats).
Within 7–10 days , people will usually start to recover from a cold. Symptoms begin to ease up, and people will start feeling better. People may also find that they have more energy and are more able to carry out tasks as usual.
If symptoms get worse, rather than better, after 3-7 days, you may have acquired a bacterial infection. These symptoms can also be caused by a cold virus other than a rhinovirus.
Research shows that the immune system follows a circadian rhythm and that the cells involved in healing and inflammation tend to rev up in the evening. Some evidence suggests that more white blood cells (WBCs) are sent to your tissues to fight off infection during the night compared to the day.
Experts suggest that particular positions can help or hinder sleep when you have a cold. When you sleep on your back, it can make congestion even worse. Try sleeping on your side, and prop up your pillows so you're sleeping at a slight angle to help prevent congestion from disrupting your sleep.
The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery.