• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink plenty of water, juice, tea or eat popsicles, soup or gelatin.
• Eat as much of a balanced diet as you can. A cold sometimes causes a loss of appetite.
• For fever, sore throat, head and muscle aches, take acetaminophen every three to four hours. If you also are having to deal with a runny nose, cough or nasal congestion, your clinician will tell you what and how much to take. A daily multiple vitamin also may help.
• For a sore throat, gargle every two hours with salt water or take throat lozenges.
• Use a humidifier in your room-especially at night-to help you breathe easier. If you don’t have a humidifier, take a hot shower and breathe in the steam.
• Your clinician may give you medicine for a stuffy nose or cough. Use the medicine exactly as instructed. If antibiotics have been prescribed, take them until they are gone.
• If you are not better in four to five days or if you start running a high fever, see a health professional for further evaluation and treatment.
Source: University Health Center
