COUGH

Protect yourself from getting sick:

Use this guide to gather ideas Wash your hands often with soap and water.
on how you can get symptom
relief without antibiotics. AND
COLD
CARE
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Our providers are committed with unwashed hands.

to prescribing antibiotics only

when needed.

Stay away from people who are sick.

FOR ADULTS

taking antibiotics for viral Do-It-Yourself Guide

infections will not help you Get recommended vaccines.

and could harm you.

GENERAL
ADVICE Learn more about antibiotics, appropriate
antibiotic use, and antibiotic stewardship:
• Always use over-the-counter products as
directed, and consult your health care www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/antibioticresistance
provider with questions or concerns.
www.health.state.mn.us/onehealthabx
• Wash hands often with soap and water;
www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use
if not visibly soiled, can use hand sanitizer.
• Get plenty of rest. www.cdc.gov/drugresistance
• Drink extra water and juice.
• Avoid smoking, secondhand smoke, and other
pollutants.
 SORE THROAT COUGH SINUS PAIN/
• Use ice chips, honey, lozenges, or sore throat • Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
PRESSURE
spray. • Breathe in steam from a shower or bowl of • Put a warm compress over the nose and
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer. hot water. forehead.
• Gargle salt water. • Use non-medicated lozenges, honey, or • Breathe in steam from a shower or bowl of
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen cough syrup. hot water.
to relieve pain or fever. • Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
• Drink warm beverages. to relieve pain or fever.
Shopping list: • Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray.

Shopping list:
Shopping list:

Lozenges Honey Cough syrup

Lozenges Honey Sore throat spray Acetaminophen, Saline nasal spray
ibuprofen, or naproxen or decongestant

RUNNY NOSE
• Get plenty of rest. EAR PAIN
• Drink extra water and juice.
Acetaminophen, Warm beverages • Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray. • Put a warm, moist cloth over the ear that hurts.
ibuprofen, or naproxen • Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to
relieve pain or fever.
Shopping list:
Other items: Shopping list:

Tissues Saline nasal spray Acetaminophen,

Chicken soup Hand sanitizer or decongestant ibuprofen, or naproxen