Does it seem like every time the weather changes, someone starts coughing or sneezing? There’s no real evidence to link colds or the flu with the weather—it’s viruses that attack and make us feel really rotten. So how can a you protect herself and your family during cold and flu season?


You can prevent a viral infection—research proves it. But you won’t find prevention in a pill. Only by frequent hand washing, limiting your exposure to infected individuals, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will you do your best to fight infections. Nobel Prize laureate Linus Pauling advocated daily vitamin C to prevent the common cold, but multiple studies have failed to demonstrate that it works. Echinacea is a popular herbal treatment for preventing colds, but it does not hold up under scrutiny either (though they both might shorten a cold’s duration—see below).

Your best strategy is to keep a few over-thecounter products handy for when colds strike, such as a decongestant, a cough suppressant, and a pain reliever. No one wants to face the pharmacy aisle after an illness has struck—there are just too many options to consider when you’re head is already feeling fuzzy. So how do you choose what’s best? The rule of thumb is to treat only the symptoms that are apparent and nothing more, or you risk side effects that may be confused with the illness.


If you’re coughing and sneezing without a fever, you’ve likely encountered a virus. Antibiotics are useless against viruses, and taking them when they’re not needed will make your body more resistant to their effects over time. A cold will last for up to 10 days; rest and time are often the best remedies.

You can treat cold symptoms so that the effects are easier to endure. A stuffy nose responds best to decongestants. The most commonly sold oral decongestant, pseudoephedrine, is now limited for sale because it can be used as an ingredient in illicit drugs. If you can't find it out on the drugstore shelves ask your pharmacist -- it's typically now kept behind the pharmacy counter but you won't need a prescription to purchase it.

While it might be harder to find, pseudoephedrine is a great firstchoice for congestion. Phenylephrine (PE) is replacing pseudoephedrine in many cold medications, with good results. If you have high blood pressure or are taking blood-pressure medication, check with your health care provider before using a decongestant—there are better choices available with a prescription.

Decongestants also come in nasal drops and sprays, and work locally, so they’re safer for folks with high blood pressure. They come in two forms: a short-acting agent that gives four to six hours of relief or a longer-lasting dosethat works for up to 12 hours. Both are effective, but the 12-hour products can sometimes cause “rebound,” which happens when the drug wears off and the body compensates for the dryness of the mucous membranes by pushing even more blood to your nose. Use the shorter acting agents when possible.

Antihistamines are sometimes found on cold and flu shelves, but decongestants actually work better for stuffy noses. If you have a runny nose, an antihistamine may help. Read the labels: Many name brands combine both antihistamines and decongestants. Just use one or the other. Antihistamines work well for treating coughs. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (its common brand name is Benadryl) is a good cough suppressant, although it can make you sleepy or agitated. Watch for these side effects whenever you give this to someone for the first time.

Another good cough suppressant is dextromethorphan (often designated as “DM” with a brand name). This drug will make you drowsy. Some people also experience gas or bloating. Not all coughs signal a cold; a reoccurring cough with no other coldlike symptoms could indicate heart or lung disease. If you have no other signs of infection, seek advice from your care provider for a cough that won’t go away.


Colds usually don’t bring on high fevers, but you might experience what’s known as a low-grade fever, or a fever of less than 102 degrees. Use over-the-counter pain relievers, like aspirin or acetaminophen, or nonsteroidal agents such as ibuprofen. All of these can cause bloating or gas, and aspirin should never be given to children 12 or younger, because it can cause a serious neurological condition called Reye’s syndrome. If your fever doesn’t subside with your other symptoms, call your health care provider.

You can’t always prevent colds, but you can work to shorten them. One or two tablets of Vitamin C each day might shorten colds. Zinc and echinacea can also shorten the length of colds, and research continues on these supplements.

Influenza (“the flu”) isa contagious viral disease that attacks your respiratory tract. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a stomach flu. Influenza is different from a cold, as it usually appears suddenly with fever, headaches, fatigue, and body aches. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated in the fall. Older people, pregnant and nursing women, children, toddlers, babies, and people susceptible to respiratory problems should get vaccinated every year. Flu vaccinatin is safe in every trimester of pregnancy but ask for a "preservative free" flu vaccine.

Don’t worry if you can’t get a flu shot: Your health care provider has several good prescription medications that can be used at the onset of symptoms which will shorten the length and severity of the flu when it strikes including antiviral drugs like Tamiflu.


There are times when you simply can't tell whether you're struggling with a cold or flu. If this happens to you, call your healthcare provider's office, especially if you have any of the following warning signs:

• You've been using a decongestant for more than 3 days with little or no relief
• You have a fever of 102 degrees or more
• You're vomiting
• You're wheezing or feeling short of breath
• You're coughing up blood
• Your "cold" has peristed for more than 10 days
• You're feeling pain or pressure in your chest
• You have ear drainage
• You have difficulty waking up
• You can't drink any fluids
• You're having seizures

These are all warning signs that you may have an underlying health condition contributing to the cold or flu that needs immediate medical treatment -- don't delay in seeing your healthcare provider or go directly to the emergency room if you feel like is threatened in any way by your symptoms.

About the Author: Mary C. Brucker, CNM, DNSc, FACNM, is director of women’s health education programs at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.