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Fighting the Common Cold (and Other URIs)
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
When to Treat at Home and When You May Need a Prescription
Upper respiratory infections (URIs)—like the common cold, influenza (flu), and COVID-19—are one of the most frustrating parts of changing seasons. Stuffy nose, sinus pressure, coughing fits at 2 a.m.…we’ve all been there.
The good news is most URIs are viral, not bacterial, which means they don’t need antibiotics and usually run their course in about 7–10 days.
At Freedom Medical Center, we’re faith-based, science-backed, and committed to helping you know when to ride it out with home care and when it’s time to seek medical attention.
Home Treatment: My Favorite Over-the-Counter Helpers
When it comes to managing URI symptoms at home, there are some tried-and-true options that can make you much more comfortable:
DayQuil & NyQuil – Great for symptom relief during the day and night. They target cough, congestion, aches, and help you get the rest you need.
Mucinex (guaifenesin) – Helps thin mucus, making coughs more productive. Pro tip: it only works if you drink plenty of water with it!
Flonase (fluticasone nasal spray) – A steroid nasal spray that helps decrease inflammation and congestion in the nose and sinuses.
Afrin (oxymetazoline spray) – A strong decongestant that can open up nasal passages fast. Important: only use for 2–3 days maximum. Longer than that can cause rebound congestion.
Other helpful home remedies: humidifiers, warm tea with honey, saline sprays or rinses, and of course, rest.
When You Don’t Need Antibiotics
Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. Since most URIs are viral, antibiotics usually won’t help and may actually do more harm than good. You don’t need antibiotics if there are no indications in your exam findings or testing that suggest a bacterial infection.
When Prescription Treatments May Help
While most URIs are best managed at home, there are cases where prescriptions can make a difference:
Influenza (Flu): Antiviral medication like Tamiflu can shorten illness and reduce complications if started within the first 48 hours of symptoms.
COVID-19: Prescription antivirals such as Paxlovid or Molnupiravir may be available for patients who qualify, especially those at higher risk for complications.
Strep Throat: Unlike viral infections, strep is a bacterial infection that does require antibiotics to prevent complications and shorten the illness.
Bacterial infections: Occasionally, a viral infection can turn into a bacterial sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Two signs this may be happening:
You start to feel a lot better, then suddenly get worse again.
Your symptoms continue to worsen after 7–10 days instead of improving.
When It’s Time to See a Provider
You may need an appointment if you notice:
Fever lasting more than 2–3 days
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Sinus pain or pressure that worsens after 7–10 days instead of improving
Severe sore throat or difficulty swallowing
Symptoms lasting longer than 10–14 days without improvement
At Freedom Medical, we offer Freedom QuickCare visits for $100, which include rapid testing for strep, flu, COVID, and UTI. QuickCare is available Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, so you can skip the long waits of urgent care and be seen quickly in our Fortville office.
Bottom Line
Most URIs (colds, flu, COVID) last 7–10 days and can be treated at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies. Antibiotics aren’t usually needed, but they are appropriate in cases like strep throat or when viral infections develop into bacterial ones. Treatments like Tamiflu or COVID antivirals may also be an option if you qualify.
✨ Book your appointment online at Freedom-Medical.com or call us at 317-505-1747.
Stay healthy, Fortville! 💙--
Kayla HuffmanNurse Practitioner | Founder, Freedom Medical Center
✨ Wellness | Weight Loss | Aesthetics | IV Therapy
Curious how we do medicine differently? Come see for yourself & book a free consult.
📞 317-505-1747
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