Trending Cold and Flu Topics
Anatomy of a Sore Throat Pictures Slideshow
Watch this slideshow and explore the types and causes of a sore throat and learn how to distinguish between sore and strep throat. You'll also find out how to get relief from symptoms such as that raw, scratchy feeling.
Read more about Anatomy of a Sore Throat Pictures Slideshow »
Cold and Flu Quiz
Aches? Pain? Fever? This Cold & Flu Quiz tests your knowledge on the difference between coming down with the common cold and sickness from the flu (influenza virus).
Flu Shot (Vaccine)
Serious side effects from the flu shot are uncommon. Side effects of the injection vaccine may include soreness at the site of the injection, muscle aches, fever, and feeling unwell. The live virus vaccine nasal-spray does not cause severe symptoms.
Flu (Influenza)
Typical flu symptoms in children and adults include a fever (100 F - 103 F), chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Home remedies to help flu symptoms include OTC medications. Cough drops and cough syrup can be taken to suppress a cough. If a person's symptoms continue worsen, they should seek medical care.
Pregnancy Flu Shot Side Effects and Safety
Changes in the immune system of a woman who is pregnant can make her more sensitive to the flu. If you are pregnant, you should get the flu shot as soon as it's available in your area. The flu vaccine is approved for pregnant women; however, pregnant women should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.
Read more about Pregnancy Flu Shot Side Effects and Safety »
Cold & Flu Remedies
Can using a neti pot relieve the sinus pain and congestion associated with cold and flu? Does echinacea shorten the duration of a cold? Watch this slideshow and see which natural cold and flu remedies work.
Related Disease Conditions
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Effective Home Remedies To Kill a Sore Throat Fast
Learn what's causing your sore throat, home remedies that can provide relief fast, and what other treatments can help to relieve...
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Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not...
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Tonsillitis & Adenoids: How Do They Impact Your Health?
Tonsillitis is a contagious infection with symptoms of bad breath, snoring, congestion, headache, hoarseness, laryngitis, and...
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Are You Too Sick to Work?
When you're not feeling well, it may be difficult to decide whether to stay home or go to school or work. Conditions that are...
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What Are the Best Home Remedies for an Upper Respiratory Infection?
What is an upper respiratory infection and what causes it? Learn more about upper respiratory infection, the common cold, and how...
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Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is an illness caused by a variety of viruses that is most common during the winter season. Bronchiolitis symptoms...
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Can You Have the Flu Without a Fever?
Since not every individual experiences all of the flu symptoms, it is possible to have the flu without having a fever....
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Why Do I Have a Dry Cough at Night and in the Morning?
If you have a dry cough at night and in the morning, it could be due to a lingering cold or other viral infection. Learn about...
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Children's Cough Causes and Treatments
Children's cough causes include infection, acid reflux, asthma, allergies or sinus infection, whooping cough, and exposure to...
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Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic...
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Cold and Cough Medicine for Infants and Children
The safety of giving infants and children over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicine is important for caregivers to...
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Cold vs. Flu
Though different viruses cause the common cold and influenza, the two respiratory illnesses share many signs and symptoms. Flu...
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Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the...
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Common Cold
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms...
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Common Cold: Early Signs and 4 Stages
The common cold or viral rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by several types of viruses. It is one of the most...
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Do Expectorants Make You Cough More?
Expectorants help inhibit the accumulation of mucus and clear the airways during a respiratory tract infection. Check out the...
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Fever and Headache
Illnesses, diseases, conditions, and infections like cancer, RA, bacterial and fungal infections, encephalitis, meningitis, flu,...
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Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Several home remedies may cure pain and other symptoms associated with a sore throat. However, it is imperative to note that...
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How Can I Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, however, in some cases, the sore throat might be caused by bacteria called group A...
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How Can I Reduce Fever at Home?
Fever is the reaction of your body to fight off bacterial or viral infections. A bacterial infection needs antibiotics whereas a...
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How Do I Know If My Sore Throat Is Viral or Bacterial?
It's seldom easy to tell the difference between bacterial and viral sore throats. Find out what the differences are and learn...
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How Do You Break a Fever Naturally?
Here are 8 home remedies to help reduce a fever without taking medication, which include, staying hydrated, sponging, and proper...
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How Do You Cure the Flu Quickly?
Flu or influenza is a common viral disease affecting the respiratory system. This infectious disease is caused by the influenza...
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How Do You Get Rid of a Cold Overnight?
Cold symptoms are part of your body’s healing processes. Most of the time, it does not require any help. However, you can get rid...
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How Do You Get Rid of Laryngitis Quickly?
Learn what medical treatments can help with laryngitis and speed up your recovery....
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How Do You Treat a Baby With the Flu?
The home remedy for flu will depend on the temperature of the baby and on what other signs and symptoms are present with the flu....
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How Does the Flu Affect the Immunocompromised?
Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It is generally a mild illness that can be treated...
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How Long Are You Contagious With the Flu?
The flu is contagious 1-2 days before symptoms start and up to 5-7 days after symptoms have developed. Young children and people...
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How Long Does Laryngitis Last?
What is laryngitis, and how do you know if you have laryngitis? Learn the signs of laryngitis and how to care for your throat if...
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How Long Does the Flu Last in Seniors?
What is the flu? Learn the signs of the flu in seniors and when you need to call a doctor....
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How Long Does Whooping Cough Last?
What is whooping cough and how long does whooping cough last? Learn more about whooping cough and how to recover from whooping...
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How Long Is a Cold or Flu Contagious?
Viruses cause the common cold and the flu. Early symptoms and signs for a cold and the flu are similar, however, flu symptoms are...
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How to Get Rid of Mucus in My Chest Fast
While some amount of mucus is normal, too much can cause discomfort. Here are 8 ways to get rid of mucus in your chest at home...
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How to Stop Coughing
Learn how to stop coughing attacks without medicine at night and at other times naturally. Learn about 19 tips to stop nighttime...
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Flu (Influenza)
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache,...
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Is a Cough Contagious?
There are many types of coughs, such as dry cough, wet cough, barking cough, whooping cough, stress-induced cough, acute cough,...
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Is a Sinus Infection Contagious?
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is an infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) or inflammation of the sinuses. Symptoms of sinus...
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Is It Good to Cough Up Phlegm?
It is good to cough up phlegm because it helps clear viruses and bacteria from your body when you are sick with a respiratory...
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Is It Normal to Feel Under the Weather?
It is normal to feel under the weather perhaps one time in two months....
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Is Laryngitis Contagious?
Laryngitis is inflammation and swelling of the voice box (larynx). Causes of laryngitis are viral, bacterial, fungal, strenuous...
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Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
Pharyngitis is a contagious infection that can spread from one person to another. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, you...
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Is Strep Throat Contagious?
Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep...
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Is Tonsillitis Contagious?
Tonsillitis is a common infection, especially in kids. Tonsillitis is caused by viruses and bacteria like the flu and herpes...
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Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is an infection, which...
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Laryngitis Home Remedies
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. Inflammation of the larynx is most often caused by viral infections. Symptoms...
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When Should You See a Doctor for Upper Respiratory Infection?
What is an upper respiratory infection? Learn the symptoms of an upper respiratory infection and what to do about it....
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Sinus Infection vs. Cold
Viruses cause the common cold and most sinus infections. Bacterial and fungal infections may also cause a sinus infection. Signs...
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Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused...
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Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm...
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Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore...
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Swine Flu (Swine Influenza A [H1N1 and H3N2])
Novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection (swine flu) is an infection that generally is transferred from an infected pig to a human,...
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Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the...
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What Are Interesting Facts About the Flu?
See 9 interesting facts about the flu including the origin, prevalence, contagiousness, vaccines, peak months, duration,...
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What Are the 3 Stages of Whooping Cough?
The three stages of whooping cough include stage I (catarrhal), stage II (paroxysmal), and stage III (convalescent). Check out...
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What Are the 5 Types of Fever?
Fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or illness. Learn the five types of fever, signs, what causes fever, how...
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What Causes Burning at the Base of the Throat?
Burning at the base of your throat could result from a number of conditions, such as the cold and flu, tonsillitis, or GERD....
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What Causes Shivering?
Shivering is a natural bodily response to various situations. Here are 14 causes of shivering, which include dehydration,...
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What Causes Strep Throat and How Long Does It Last?
Strep throat is a contagious infection that can be very uncomfortable. Learn the signs of strep throat, what causes strep throat,...
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What Does the Beginning of Strep Throat Look Like?
Symptoms of strep throat appear two to five days after exposure with the most common early-stage sign being severe throat pain....
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What Happens if You Let a Sinus Infection Go Untreated?
If you let sinus infection go untreated, it could lead to rare but serious complications such as chronic sinusitis that spreads...
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What Is Adenitis?
Adenitis, a general term for lymphadenitis, is an inflammation of the lymphatic system that results in the enlargement of one or...
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What Is the Best Medicine for Sinus Congestion?
Sinus congestion can be relieved with both over-the-counter medications and home remedies. Learn about the best medicines for...
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What Is the Fastest Way To Cure a Cough?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your cough symptoms and speed up your recovery....
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What Kills a Sore Throat Fast?
How do you kill or fix a sore throat immediately? Learn how long sore throats last and get home remedies for fast sore throat...
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Why Do I Wake Up Feeling Nauseated?
Here are 12 causes of waking up feeling nauseated in the morning, which include low blood sugar levels, GERD, constipation, and...
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Flu Shots: 10 Facts About Flu Shots
What are the side effects of a flu shot? Who should get vaccinated? Learn the benefits and risks of vaccination for seasonal...
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Ear Infections: All About Ear Conditions
What's that? I can't hear you. Maybe it's tinnitus, or impacted ear wax, or cauliflower ear (yup, that's a thing). Find out what...
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Cold, Fever and Flu Symptoms in Children: Medications and Home Remedies
How long does a cold last? How long is a cold contagious? Colds and fevers are some of the most common ailments in children....
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Cold & Flu Quiz: Influenza vs. Common Cold
Aches? Pain? Fever? This Cold & Flu Quiz tests your knowledge on the difference between coming down with the common cold and...
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Cold and Flu: The Truth About Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers are a convenient way to kill germs. But do they really work? Here's what we found....
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Cold, Flu, and Cough: How to Avoid Infectious Diseases
The right habits will lower your chances of catching an infectious disease. Learn what you can do to help yourself stay healthy....
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Cold, Flu, & Cough: How to Clean After Illness
This slideshow gives you a room-by-room look at how and what to disinfect after someone in your family has been sick....
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Cold, Flu, & Cough: Symptoms of Immune System Problems
Your immune system is your main line of defense against infection and illness. Learn the warning signs that yours isn’t working...
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A Cold or The Flu? How to Tell the Difference
Discover the difference between cold vs. flu symptoms. Learn the difference between cold and flu symptoms. Read about cold and...
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How to Prevent the Common Cold
What home remedies work for the common cold? The common cold is arguably the most common human illness. Learn how long the common...
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Common Cold Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Take this quiz to learn the truth behind the infectious, contagious, uncomfortable disease known as the common cold. Test your...
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Home Remedies for Sick Children
Home remedies for sick babies, toddlers, and kids can help with things like colds, flu, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, fever,...
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How Your Immune System Functions
What is the immune system and its function? Your immune system finds and kills germ invaders when you are sick from a cold, the...
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Picture of Influenza Virus
The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. See a...
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Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) Symptoms & Treatment
Sinus infection (sinusitis) symptoms can include headaches, a sore throat, and toothaches. Antibiotics and home remedies can...
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Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to...
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Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz: Test Your Infectious Disease IQ
Take the Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz to learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention methods, diagnosis,...
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Cold, Flu, and Cough: Things That Suppress Your Immune System
A strong immune system is your best protection against infections and illnesses. Find out what can weaken that defense....
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Cold and Flu: What Doctors Do to Boost Their Immune Systems
How can you make your immune system stronger? Why not try what the pros try?...
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What Your Nose Says About Your Health
Do you smell something no one else does? Is it hard to breathe? Different conditions affect smell and breathing. Use this WebMD...
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Why Do I Have the Chills? Reasons Other Than Fever
Chills and fever often come as a combo, but sometimes chills happen with a normal temperature. Find out what could be behind...
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Colds: 10 Tips to Prevent The Common Cold
- Air Travel, Colds, and Sinus Infections
- Cough, Cold, Weight Loss Drug Dangerous - Warning
- Flu Shot Side Effects
- Flu Shots - Next Big Influenza Outbreak
- OTC Cold and Cough Medications
- Pneumonia ... Quick New Urine Test
- Sore Throat: Is It Mono or Strep Throat?
- Sore Throat: Virus or Strep?
- Strep Throat Complications
- Strep Throat Diagnosis & Treatment
- Strep Throat Natural Home Remedies
- Strep Throat Symptoms
- Fever: Unexplained Fever...A Difficult Diagnosis
- When to Call the Doctor for Fever, Nausea, Diarrhea, Colds, and Coughs
Medications & Supplements
- acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine
- acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan
- acetaminophen/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
- acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
- acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine
- acetaminophen/diphenhydramine/dextromethorphan
- acetaminophen/doxylamine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
- acetaminophen rectal
- acetaminophen/pheniramine/phenylephrine
- Afluria Quadrivalent (Influenza Vaccine)
- amantadine (Symmetrel - Discontinued)
- amoxicillin
- aspirin/chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine
- aspirin gum - oral, Aspergum
- aspirin rectal
- azithromycin (Zithromax): For COVID-19
- aztreonam - injection, Azactam
- benzonatate
- brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
- Brompheniramine/Dextromethorphan/Pseudoephedrine
- chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin, Econochlor, Ocu-Chlor [These are discontinued brands in the US])
- chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone, Tussionex, TussiCaps, Tussionex Pennkinetic, Vituz
- clarithromycin, Biaxin
- clindamycin - injection, Cleocin
- Clindamycin, Oral (Cleocin)
- clindamycin-oral solution, Cleocin Pediatric
- Cold Medicine and Cough Syrup for Adults
- da qing ye
- dextromethorphan
- echinacea
- erythromycin
- eucalyptus
- expectorant/decongestant/narcotic antitussive/acetaminophen-oral
- Fluzone High-Dose (Influenza Vaccine)
- gatifloxacin-oral, Tequin
- gemifloxacin - oral, Factive
- goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis) - oral
- guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide
- guaifenesin and phenylephrine, Sudafed PE Non-Drying Sinus Caplets, (Entex, discontinued)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine
- hexylresorcinol
- ibuprofen/pseudoephedrine
- influenza A (H5N1) vaccine
- FluMist, FluMist Quadrivalent influenza vaccine live intranasal
- influenza virus vaccine
- influenza virus vaccine - syringe intradermal, Fluzone
- influenza virus vaccine - intramuscular, Afluria, Fluarix, Flublok, Flu
- menthol oropharyngeal
- moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Mucinex DM (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide)
- narcotic analgesic/aspirin/caffeine - oral
- oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- pau d’arco
- pectin oropharyngeal
- penicillin V
- peramivir
- phenylephrine nasal
- pneumococcal pediatric vaccine - injection, Prevnar 13
- pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23, Pnu-Imune 23)
- polypody
- promethazine and codeine, Phenergan with Codeine
- pseudoephedrine (Oral, Afrinol, Sudafed)
- Side Effects of Relenza (zanamivir)
- rimantadine
- Side Effects of Tussionex (chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone)
- Side Effects of Robitussin Ac (guaifenesin with codeine)
- Tussigon (hydrocodone)
- Side Effects of Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen)
- Side Effects of FluMist (influenza nasal vaccine live)
- Side Effects of Mucinex DM (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide)
- Side Effects of Phenergan with Codeine (promethazine and codeine)
- Side Effects of Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Side Effects of Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
- sodium chloride - intranasal spray (Ocean, Ayr Saline, Humist, NaSal, Little Noses, Ocean)
- star anise
- Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) Side Effects, Warnings, and Drug Interactions
- Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) Side Effects, Warnings, and Drug Interactions
- zanamivir (Relenza)
- zinc
- Zinc for Colds: Lozenges & Nasal Sprays