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Doctors warn do not take cold medicine to treat the flu

Jan 22, 2025, 5:52 PM

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

It seems like everyone I know is sick right now. Sniffling and headaches can last over a week.
Washing your hands might not be enough. You might need a flu vaccine to help you recover from the flu. Don’t bother taking over the counter cold medicine. It won’t be enough.
Dr. Ranj Singh has warned against taking cold medications to treat the flu, saying they can do more harm than good.
For the flu, the doctor recommends sipping on hot beverages. “Honey and lemon is really good, most people will reach for cough mixture but you don’t actually need it,” Dr. Singh said.
He also advised against taking too much paracetamol unintentionally, as some people will take more than one treatment that contains the medication without realizing.
To prevent the flu, the doctor recommends the vaccine. “The hope is because your immune system has been primed, you are less likely to get it and it’s going to be less severe,” he said.
Many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications called phenylephrine don’t work to get rid of nasal congestion and a study shows the decongestant was no more effective than a placebo.

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Doctors warn do not take cold medicine to treat the flu