In the majority of cases, the cold spontaneously disappears. No treatment can get rid of the virus faster. In fact, the main goal of treatment is to make the common cold less painful by relieving the symptoms : sore throat, headache, nasal congestion. Because the common cold is caused by a virus and not a bacteria, antibiotics have no effect. In addition, no vaccine exists to prevent the common cold since, unlike the flu (caused only by a few kinds of viruses), more than 100 viruses can be involved. All that remains is to let time do its work.

pharmaceuticals

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, Acet®). This medicine effectively treats had de tete and the fever slight. It is important to stick to the dosage, since acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken too frequently or in doses higher than those recommended by the manufacturer. In adults, maximum dose per day is 4 g. In children, the dose varies according to their weight.
• Les anti-inflammatoires, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), can also be used to relieve pain and fever.
• THEaspirine (acetylsalicylic acid) is contraindicated in children: it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious illness.
• Decongestants. Decongestants in the form of nasal sprays (Dristan®, Otrivin®) are not recommended for children, due to their low efficacy and their adverse effects. In adolescents and adults they can be used for up to 3 days. Prolonged use can irritate the delicate mucous membranes of the nose and cause chronic inflammation. Decongestants taken by mouth are less of a problem. As a decongestant, you can also simply use a solution saline by inhalation (see box below). To relieve a clear runny nose, ipratropium nasal spray (Atrovent nasal) can be used, which has a drying effect, but does not have a decongestant effect.

• Cold medicine. Many brands offer cold medicines, which generally combine a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which also fights against fever, and an oral decongestant (pseudoephedrine), sometimes in the form of day / night tablets. These medications (Actifed®, Cold & Sinus Advil®, Cold & Flu Benylin®, etc.) can relieve symptoms, but do not speed healing and are not recommended for children. Respect the dosage.

Some treatments to improve comfort

The following measures are recommended by doctors. It is best to apply them at the first signs of a cold or colds.

• Se rest a lot in order to support the immune system.
• To drink at least 2 liters of water and other drinks a day to keep from becoming dehydrated (hot drinks, such as herbal teas and soup, are very comforting).
• To relieve the sore throat, gargle with lukewarm salt water several times a day.
• To to decongest the nose (including in children), drop a few drops of a solution saline in each nostril.

To facilitate application, lie on your back and tilt your head back. There are also vaporizers that make application easier. Clean the inside of the nostrils with a swab (cotton swab). Put a few drops of saline again in each nostril. Blow your nose or, in the case of a young child, aspirate the mucus using a nasal bulb.

This technique could also help relieve hay fever.².

Saline solutions are readily available in pharmacies (eg, Salinex®, Hydrasense®). You can also prepare one yourself.

– Take some showers hot or bains hot.

– Stay at chaud, but don’t overheat the bedroom, which dries up the air and makes it harder to breathe.

– Use a humidifier if needed. According to Health Canada, it is good to keep the humidity of residences at 50% during the summer and at 30% during the winter (a hygrometer allows you to measure the humidity level)³.

– To relieve a skin irritation around the nostrils, apply a little petroleum jelly to the sensitive area.