JMU - Self Care Guidelines
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Self Care Guidelines
Common Cold/URI
Please review this information to help assess your symptoms.
Upper Respiratory Illness/Infection (URI) is most often caused by a virus that is self limited and does not improve with antibiotics. Most of these illnesses end within 10 to 14 days from onset.
Reasons to seek health care immediately (EMERGENCY DEPT or UHC Urgent Care hours)
- Chest pain at anytime
- Difficulty breathing not caused by nasal congestion
- Neck pain and stiffness with forward flexion
Reasons to seek health care within 24 hours(make an appointment at UHC)
- Illness lasting longer than 14 days or is worsening
- Fever over 102 or Sore Throat for more than 48 hours from the onset or later in the illness
- Suspect dehydration; lack of intake or vomiting: dark infrequent urine, dry mouth & eyes
- Chronic conditions that place you at risk for complications of mild illness
If none of the above read the self care recommendations below to help your symptoms:
Nasal Congestion
- Decongestants [DO NOT use if you have high blood pressure]
- Oral pseudoephedrine products (behind the counter) Sudafed®
- phenylephrine products (over the counter) Sudafed PE®
- Nasal oxymetazole 12 hour nose spray [Do not use for more than 3 days] Afrin®
- Soothing nasal sprays (saline) as directed on label
For fever, headaches, and body aches
- Acetaminophen 650 to 1000 mg every 4 to 5 hours as needed - Tylenol®
- Ibuprofen 400 to 600 (2 to 3 tablets) every 6 hours as needed - Advil®/Motrin®
For Cough
- To help loosen mucus: guiafenesin syrup or tablets (follow dosing on label) Robitussin®
- To suppress the cough: dextromethorphan syrup or tablets (follow dosing on label) DM®
For sore throat
- Gargle with warm water frequently
- Lozenges, strips, sprays as directed on the label
Self Care Guidelines
