Commonly used medications for colds include acetaminophen and oseltamivir, but treatment should be based on the cause of the cold and there is no “magic bullet”. Colds are categorized into common colds and influenza.
1. Common cold: caused by rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and other infections. It is a self-limiting disease and can be relieved in a week or so. There are no specific antiviral drugs, but pseudoephedrine can be used to reduce nasal congestion, and antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as acetaminophen can be added to lower the temperature if necessary, and antiviral traditional Chinese medicines such as Lianhua Qingdian Capsule can be given to treat the disease.
2. Influenza: caused by influenza virus infection. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir can be used for antiviral treatment, and antipyretic drugs such as ibuprofen can be used to lower the temperature.
It should be noted that the use of the above drugs should be under the guidance of a doctor. If you find that you have a cold, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for examination, identify the cause of the illness, and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment.