Feb 6, 2025 By Kristin Emery 4 min read

With all of the coughing, sneezing and nose blowing going on around us right now, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been sick this winter. Flu, RSV, strep throat, norovirus and plain old colds have been rampant in recent weeks.

Viruses most likely to cause misery this winter include common colds due to the rhinovirus, COVID-19 and influenza. How do you know exactly what you are sick with when these viruses can all cause similar symptoms, such as headaches, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, and sneezing?

While you may not be able to diagnose your exact ailment, it might not matter since the same remedies work to alleviate symptoms for most common illnesses.

Best home remedies

In most cases, doctors say the best way to treat respiratory symptoms at home is to drink clear liquids like water, herbal tea, and juice.

“Most common colds, sinus infections, or even the flu can be safely treated at home with over-the-counter remedies,” says Dr. James Solava, an internal medicine physician with AHN Primary Care Institute. “These include medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen, cough suppressants, decongestants, and drinking plenty of fluids.”

You may want to limit caffeine, which can prevent rest and cause dehydration. Rest is the most important key to recovery, along with staying home to prevent spreading sickness. Tylenol or Advil can help treat a sore throat or headache, but be sure to read labels since cough and cold remedies also often include pain relievers and you don’t want to double dose.

“Many medications that treat the symptoms can be found over the counter at your local drugstore/pharmacy,” says Dr. Evan Stalnaker, resident at UPMC Washington Family Medicine Residency. “Treat any fever or aches and pains with Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Treat any cough with honey, cough drops, etc. Treat nasal congestion with antihistamines and decongestants like Benadryl and Flonase nasal spray.”

When to see a doctor

Sometimes it’s more than just a cold. Strep throat can damage kidneys in severe cases without treatment by antibiotics. Even common colds can worsen and cause pneumonia.

So when should we see a doctor?

“It is time to consult a doctor if symptoms persist for longer than 10 days without improvement,” said Solava, “or if there is a fever higher than 102 degrees, changes in vision, stiff neck, confusion, shortness of breath, or difficulty with eating and drinking.”

Some respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 or the flu, have specific medication options for treatment. He advises getting tested for these illnesses if you are feeling sick and especially if you have underlying health conditions that put you at higher risk of complications. Winter sicknesses that cause coughing and sore throats are more likely to become serious in seniors and people with weaker immune systems. If your symptoms feel severe, your doctor can test and treat you.

“I would always counsel my patients that if they have any concern to come to the doctor to be evaluated, but for most healthy adults their immune system will fight the illness on its own,” Stalnaker said. “Believe it or not, most symptoms are the result of our bodies’ endogenous immune response and not the actual virus causing damage to our cells.”

His general rule is to see the doctor if you are still sick after 10 days and your symptoms are not improving.

“Ten days does seem to be the magic number where one could develop a superimposed bacterial infection such as pneumonia or a bacterial sinus infection, which would require antibiotics,” he said. “Anyone who is newly short of breath should seek evaluation from a doctor immediately.”

People with weakened immune systems such as the elderly, children, those who smoke or have heart disease, diabetes, or COPD may need to be seen sooner, as they could develop complications earlier within the course of infection.

“We do have a prescription-strength antiviral medication for influenza and COVID-19, and these medicines are only recommended for patients who are at an increased risk of developing complications to these infections. We typically start these medications within five days from symptom onset, and one should immediately contact their provider if they know they have the flu or COVID to see if they are eligible for these medications.”

As for preventing illness, the best advice from both doctors is to wash hands thoroughly and often.

“By and large there is only really one intervention that has been shown consistently to reduce the spread and prevent the disease and this is handwashing,” said Stalnaker. “Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after caring for someone who is sick, using the restroom, and before, during, and after handling food, to remove any viral particles from your hands. I would also recommend getting the yearly vaccine for the flu.”