Columbia University Health Services

Self Care for Cold and Flu symptoms:

• Stay home and rest

• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Don’t drink alcohol
• Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat
• Use saline nasal spray to help loosen mucus and moisten the tender skin in your nose
• Over the counter medications such as decongestants, lozenges, cough syrups or Tylenol can relieve symptoms

When to call or come see the Doctor:

• High (above 102 F) or prolonged fever
• A cold that lasts for more than 10 days
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Fainting or feeling like you are about to faint
• Confusion or disorientation
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Severe pain in your face or forehead
• Hoarseness, sore throat or a cough that won’t go away  

Go Ask Alice! is the health question and answer Internet service produced by the Alice! Health Promotion Program. If it's on your mind, it's probably on Go Ask Alice!

Questions

Primary Care Medical Services (PCMS) provides comprehensive care for routine, urgent, and chronic medical needs for students. Primary Care also provides sexual health, reproductive, and gynecological services, LGBTQ health care, immunizations, and referrals. Allergy and flu shots are available at PCMS. Fees vary and are not covered by the Health Service Program Fee. For more information go to Making Appointments.