What medicine should I take if I have a cold and a runny nose?
The weather has changed frequently recently, and the number of cold patients has increased significantly. Symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing have become hot topics. Many netizens have asked on social platforms, "What medicine should I take if I have a cold and a runny nose?" This article will provide structured answers based on hot discussions and medical advice from across the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Common cold symptoms and drug selection

According to recent discussions on health topics, cold symptoms mainly focus on the following aspects:
| Symptoms | Proportion (discussed in the past 10 days) | Recommended drug types |
|---|---|---|
| runny nose | 42% | Antihistamines, decongestants |
| nasal congestion | 35% | Decongestant |
| sore throat | 28% | anti-inflammatory analgesics |
| cough | 25% | Cough medicine, expectorant |
2. Commonly used drugs for runny nose
Based on recent drug sales data and doctor recommendations, here are the common medications for a runny nose:
| Drug name | Type | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loratadine | antihistamines | Block histamine receptors and reduce nasal mucus secretion | May cause drowsiness |
| pseudoephedrine | Decongestant | Shrink nasal mucosal blood vessels and relieve nasal congestion and runny nose | Use with caution in patients with high blood pressure |
| ibuprofen | antipyretic analgesics | Relieve general discomfort caused by colds | Taking it on an empty stomach may hurt your stomach |
| acetaminophen | compound preparation | Comprehensive relief of cold symptoms | Pay attention to component overlay |
3. Recently hotly discussed cold food treatments
In addition to drug treatment, discussions on cold diet therapy have also been very hot on social platforms in the past 10 days:
| Diet therapy | Discussion popularity | scientific basis |
|---|---|---|
| ginger tea | high fever | Gingerol promotes blood circulation |
| honey water | Middle to high | Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, relieve throat discomfort |
| chicken soup | in | Provides nutrients, may suppress inflammation |
| lemonade | in | Supplement vitamin C |
4. Expert advice and precautions
According to recent interviews with respiratory experts from tertiary hospitals, the following recommendations are made for cold medication:
1.Identify the cause: More than 70% of colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Do not abuse antibiotics.
2.Symptomatic medication: If you have a simple runny nose, you can choose a single-ingredient antihistamine, and if you have multiple symptoms, you can consider a compound cold medicine.
3.Medication time: Most cold medicines should not be used for more than 7 days, and the medicine should be discontinued in time when symptoms are relieved.
4.Special groups: Pregnant women, children, and the elderly need to be extremely cautious when using the drug, and it is best to use it under the guidance of a doctor.
5.drug interactions: The recently hotly discussed topic of "risks of mixing cold medicines" reminds you to avoid using multiple medicines containing the same ingredients at the same time.
5. Hot search topics related to colds on the Internet in the past 10 days
| Hot search topics | platform | heat index |
|---|---|---|
| #How to deal with seasonal colds# | 120 million | |
| #Cold medicine cannot be mixed casually# | Douyin | 98 million |
| #Are these cold food treatments reliable? | little red book | 56 million |
| #Should I take medicine if I have a cold# | Zhihu | 32 million |
In summary, for the question of "what medicine to take when you have a cold and a runny nose?", it is recommended to choose medicines reasonably according to the severity of the symptoms. Mild symptoms can be given priority to try dietary therapy to relieve them. For moderate to severe symptoms, medicines should be used rationally on the premise of clear drug ingredients. At the same time, pay attention to recent health science popularization and avoid misunderstandings about medication. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly.
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