What medicine should be given for viral colds?
Recently, viral colds have become one of the hot topics on the Internet. With seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations, concentrated outbreaks of viral colds have occurred in many areas. This article will combine the hot content of the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to the selection of treatment drugs for viral colds, and provide structured data for reference.
1. Common symptoms of viral colds

Viral colds usually present with the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, etc. Viral cold symptoms are more severe than the common cold and may be accompanied by general fatigue.
| Symptoms | frequency of occurrence | duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | 85% | 3-5 days |
| cough | 90% | 7-10 days |
| sore throat | 75% | 4-6 days |
| nasal congestion | 80% | 5-7 days |
2. Treatment drugs for viral colds
The treatment of viral colds mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment. The following are some commonly used drugs:
| drug type | Representative medicine | function | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| antipyretic analgesics | Acetaminophen, ibuprofen | Reduce fever and relieve pain | avoid overdosing |
| antihistamines | Loratadine, Cetirizine | Relieve runny nose and sneezing | May cause drowsiness |
| cough medicine | Dextromethorphan | Antitussive | Use with caution when there is a lot of phlegm |
| expectorant | Ambroxol | thin sputum | Drink more water |
3. Use of antiviral drugs
For certain types of viral colds, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications:
| antiviral drugs | Applicable virus types | When to use | Course of treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oseltamivir | influenza virus | Within 48 hours of symptom onset | 5 days |
| Zanamivir | influenza virus | Within 48 hours of symptom onset | 5 days |
| peramivir | influenza virus | Within 48 hours of symptom onset | 1-5 days |
4. Applicability of infusion therapy
Generally, viral colds do not require infusion treatment. However, your doctor may recommend an infusion if:
1. Severe dehydration and inability to take oral rehydration
2. Persistent high fever that does not go away
3. Combined bacterial infection requires intravenous antibiotics
4. The patient has severe vomiting and is unable to take medicine.
| Infusion ingredients | function | Common dosage |
|---|---|---|
| saline | Replenish hydration and electrolytes | 500-1000ml/day |
| glucose solution | provide energy | 500ml/day |
| Vitamin C | Enhance immunity | 1-2g/day |
5. Preventive Measures and Home Care
Prevention of viral colds is more important than treatment. The following are effective preventive measures:
1. Wash your hands frequently and maintain good hygiene habits
2. Avoid contact with infected people
3. Maintain indoor air circulation
4. Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep
5. Get vaccinated before flu season
Home care is also important for patients who are already sick:
1. Get plenty of rest to avoid fatigue
2. Drink more water to maintain body fluid balance
3. Eat a light diet and avoid spicy foods
4. Monitor body temperature changes
5. Take medicine on time as directed by your doctor
6. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
You should seek medical treatment promptly when the following situations occur:
| Symptoms | possible prompt | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| High fever that lasts for more than 3 days | Possible bacterial infection | Need to see a doctor within 24 hours |
| difficulty breathing | May develop pneumonia | seek medical attention immediately |
| Confusion | serious complications | seek medical attention immediately |
| chest pain | Myocarditis may | seek medical attention immediately |
Although viral colds are common, proper medication and proper care are critical to recovery. The drug information provided in this article is for reference only. Please follow your doctor's advice for specific medication. If symptoms persist or worsen, please seek medical treatment promptly.
check the details
check the details