First off, you may find yourself deciding between a decongestant or an antihistamine. The former is mainly helpful if you have a congested nose or sinuses, while an antihistamine can be helpful if you have nose drainage or watery eyes. Antihistamines aren’t recommended for people with asthma, and they can make people drowsy, while decongestants can have the opposite effect, keeping people awake. While they are generally safe, you will also want to ask your pharmacist about the safety of decongestants if you take drugs for high blood pressure.
Many nasal decongestants can have the opposite desired effect if you use them for more than three days, as they can produce a “rebound effect” after that point and leave you more congested than where you started. For this reason, you might want to try a saline spray if you plan to use a decongestant spray for more than three days.
Believe it or not, a fever can actually be helpful in fighting off the infection, but if decide to treat or alleviate it, there are some options. Younger people in their teens or twenties shouldn’t use aspirin, and instead use ibuprofen or other alternatives. Make sure to only take the recommended dosages!