Cold, Flu & Allergy

Most colds clear up on their own in a week to ten days, so the goal of cold medicine is comfort while you recover. The right choice depends on the symptom. A dry cough, a wet cough, a blocked nose and allergy sneezing each call for a different active ingredient, and multi-symptom products often add ones you do not need. Children need their own rules, which is why the kids' cough medicine page is organized by age.

This hub brings together cough medicine, allergy and sinus relief, thermometers for checking a fever, and supplies for the season. Many of these pages also appear under OTC Medicines or Respiratory Equipment. See a doctor for trouble breathing, a fever above 103°F, symptoms that improve and then get worse, or a cold that lasts beyond ten days.