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Adult Cold And Flu Care
Adult Cold And Flu Care Delivery or Pickup
About adult cold and flu care
Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, washing your hands, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of fluids can help stave off the common cold. Sometimes, all of that just isn't enough, and you catch a cold. Over-the-counter adult cold- and flu-care medications can help alleviate symptoms such as body aches, runny nose, and fever. When you're not feeling well, a trip to the store is the last thing you want, so let Instacart take care of you instead. Download the Instacart app and stock up on adult cold and flu care.
Symptoms of the common cold
Before you take any over-the-counter medication, you should first determine whether you have a cold or the flu, as they require different treatments. Adults who suffer from the common cold rarely have a fever or chills and sweats. A stuffy and runny nose, often with green or yellow discharge, is common with a cold. Adults may also experience body aches, headaches, fatigue, or loss of appetite. Sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and chest congestion are common symptoms for adults with a cold. You may also sometimes experience loss of appetite or nausea.
Symptoms of the flu
The flu often looks like the common cold with cough and chest congestion symptoms. But you are more likely to experience a high fever, which indicates that this is more than the common cold. Flu symptoms also include headache, body aches, fatigue, chills and sweats, loss of appetite, and nausea. You might also experience a sore throat, sneezing, and a stuffy or runny nose. Once you've determined whether you have a common cold or the flu, you can begin treating it with over-the-counter adult cold- and flu-care medications designed to alleviate symptoms.
Over-the-counter adult cold and flu care options
It's important to note that both the common cold and the flu are viral infections; therefore, they can not be cured with antibiotics. If you have a cold or the flu, it won't benefit you to visit a doctor because they won't prescribe anything for viruses. You can, however, ease the discomfort of your symptoms through a variety of over-the-counter adult cold- and flu-care options.
Analgesics are used to treat fever and body aches. These include medications with Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen. Be careful not to take too much Acetaminophen as it can damage your liver, so if you're taking cold medicine and an analgesic, check the ingredients. Antihistamines will help dry out your nose, while decongestants can help relieve a congested nose and chest.
Nasal steroids can be used to help relieve a runny nose or sinus pressure. Expectorants help get the mucus moving by loosening it up. Antitussives can help suppress a cough to bring you some relief. If you have a sore throat, you may want to try throat lozenges or gargle warm salt water. There are also medications explicitly designed to treat cold and flu symptoms that offer a combination of these medications. Read labels to determine which product will work best for your symptoms.
Adult Cold And Flu Care Near Me
Buy your favorite Adult Cold And Flu Care online with Instacart. Order Nasal Spray, Cold & Flu Medicine, Cough Suppressants, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
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FAQs for adult cold and flu care
If you have any of the following symptoms, it's recommended that you seek medical attention:
- Trouble breathing or chest pain. Neither should cause you to be short of breath or have pain in your chest. It could be a sign of a more severe illness, such as pneumonia.
- A fever that doesn't go away. A temperature over 100.4 degrees F° that doesn't go away can indicate another infection.
- Excessive vomiting. If you can't keep anything down, you risk dehydration because the body needs fluids to work. You may need IV liquids.
- Hurts to swallow. Severe throat pain may be indicative of an infection such as strep throat or tonsillitis.
- Incessant coughing. A cough that won't go away or is severe may be indicative of Whooping Cough.
- Congestion and headache won't go away. If you continue to experience a stuffy nose and headache, you may have developed a sinus infection.
Both the common cold and flu are viral infections that can be taken care of at home. Allow your body to get plenty of rest. Take some time off from work or school to decrease your activity level, as well as sneak some naps in during the day to let your body recuperate. You should also stay away from public places for at least 24 hours to reduce the possibility of spreading the infection to others.
Drink plenty of liquids, especially clear ones such as broth and water. Sports drinks are another good choice because they help keep your body hydrated. Take over-the-counter medications designed for adult cold and flu care based on your symptoms. These will help alleviate the discomfort you'll experience due to a stuffy nose, chest congestion, headaches, body aches, and possible fever.
Most people start to feel better within a week of being infected by the common cold or flu. If your symptoms last longer than a week or get worse, you may want to seek medical attention to determine whether you have a more serious illness.
Yes! Many retailers carry several options for over-the-counter adult cold- and flu-care medications, and Instacart is here to get you on the path to wellness. If you don't already have the app, download it today to get started. Once you have made your selections, added them to your cart, and checked out, Instacart takes it from there. An Instacart shopper will purchase your items, then deliver them to your doorstep. Most items are available for same-day delivery, with some arriving in as little as 2 hours!
Don't forget to add sports drinks and chicken noodle soup to your Instacart order, along with your adult cold and flu care. Instacart can take care of it all.