Catching a cold at this time of year is common.  The weather is changing, your stress level might be increasing, and you may be living in close quarters with other students.  Even with good hand-hygiene and other positive health behaviors, you may get sick.  On average, adults have 2-3 colds per year (cdc.gov).  Antibiotics will not cure a cold virus.  However, here are some things you can do at home to reduce symptoms and make the cold tolerable while getting healthy again:

• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, juice, or soup. Avoid caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate you.
• Take a hot shower to loosen congestion and thin mucous.
• Use cough drops to soothe a sore throat.
• Treat a fever or sore throat with ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen. (Tylenol®). Use the product as directed on the package.
• Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants may be effective. Learn about different types of cold medicines and how they can help from Common Cold Self-Care section on the University Health Services web site.

If you are concerned that your illness is more than just a cold, contact the University Health Services Advice Nurse (814-863-4463) or make an appointment at University Health Services.