01/13/2026
URI - Acute Upper Respiratory Infections
Cold and Flu season is upon us. There are many causes of fever, runny nose, cough, achiness, sore throat, chills, head or chest congestion, ear pressure and/or being tired. The children are back in school. The next peak will be Thanksgiving time and Christmas time. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before touching your face.
Symptomatic treatment includes rest, extra fluids, vaporizer in your bedroom, Tylenol, lozenges, Mucinex, Zinc, Sudafed, or ibuprofen/naproxen if no stomach problems. Zinc is one of the few treatments that has actually shown to decrease the severity and length of a cold. There are lozenges or some take the 50 mg tablets twice each day. I have found Mucinex can decrease sinusitis and bronchitis sequalae. Sudafed is the only true decongestant that can be obtained behind the counter (for those without high blood pressure or insomnia or other reasons to avoid it).
If your symptoms are not progressing as expected, contact me for a possible virtual or office visit. Remember to wear a mask if you are ill.