What are the treatments for the infection?

For URIs caused by a virus, antibiotics are not helpful. Someone with a cold should remember that antibiotics can cause more harm than good in these cases. In severe cases of the flu, antiviral medications such as rimantadine or oseltamivir may be given. For bacterial infections such as bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics are given.

Other treatments may help relieve symptoms. Other over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used for symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches, runny nose, or stuffy nose.

A decongestant called phenylpropanolamine (PPA), found in many over-the-counter cold remedies, has recently been linked to strokes in young women. The Food and Drug Administation (FDA) has requested that manufacturers stop producing medications containing PPA. In view of the FDA's public health advisory, anyone who has products at home containing phenylpropanolamine should discard them.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

All medications have possible side effects. Common antibiotics can cause allergic reactions, stomach upset, and other effects.

What happens after treatment for the infection?

Most people recover completely within a few days. Having a URI usually doesn't prevent a person from catching another URI in the future. If long-term effects such as kidney damage occur from the URI, a person may need further treatment.

How is the infection monitored?

If symptoms continue to get worse or fail to improve after several days, the healthcare provider should be told. In severe cases, a person may need to be watched in the hospital for a few days.