Home Care for Viral Upper Respiratory Infection in Adults
For an adult with a diagnosed viral upper respiratory infection, antibiotics are not indicated and provide no benefit—management consists of symptomatic relief with analgesics, adequate rest, and hydration, with follow-up needed only if symptoms persist beyond 10 days without improvement, worsen after initial improvement, or severe symptoms develop. 1, 2
What to Do at Home
Symptomatic Treatment
Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, fever, headache, and general discomfort. 1, 2, 3 These are the primary recommended treatments for symptom management.
Consider over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines for nasal congestion and runny nose if bothersome, though evidence for benefit is limited. 3
Increase fluid intake, though formal evidence supporting this practice is lacking. 1
Rest as needed to support recovery. 4
What NOT to Do
Do not take antibiotics—they provide no benefit for viral infections, do not shorten symptom duration, do not prevent complications, and cause unnecessary side effects. 1, 2 Purulent (yellow or green) nasal discharge does NOT indicate bacterial infection and does not justify antibiotic use. 1, 5
Avoid over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children under 6 years if caring for young family members. 6
Additional Supportive Measures
Honey, lemon, thyme, and herbal teas are commonly used and generally considered effective by patients for symptom relief. 7
Saline nasal irrigation may provide symptomatic relief. 1
Practice good hand hygiene to prevent spreading infection to others. 1
Expected Recovery Timeline
Normal Course
Most symptoms will last 1-2 weeks, with the majority of patients feeling better within the first week. 1, 2, 5 This is the normal course of viral infection.
Symptoms typically peak in the first few days and then gradually improve. 5
Even without treatment, the infection is self-limiting and will resolve on its own. 1, 2
When to Follow Up with Your Primary Care Provider
Contact Your PCP If:
Symptoms persist beyond 10 days without any improvement. 1, 2, 5 This may suggest bacterial superinfection requiring evaluation, though most cases still resolve without antibiotics.
"Double sickening" occurs—you initially improve but then worsen after 5-7 days. 1, 5 This pattern suggests possible bacterial complication.
Severe symptoms develop, including:
- Fever above 39°C (102.2°F) lasting 3 or more consecutive days with purulent nasal discharge or facial pain 1, 6
- Significant difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 1
- Severe headache or facial pain suggesting sinusitis 1
- Confusion or altered mental status 1
You have underlying health conditions such as COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or immunosuppression that increase your risk of complications. 1
Key Points to Remember
Viral upper respiratory infections account for over 80-90% of acute respiratory infections and are self-limited. 5 Your body will clear the infection naturally.
Bacterial complications occur in fewer than 2% of cases. 2
The color of nasal discharge (yellow or green) does NOT mean you need antibiotics. 1, 5
Most patients seeking care benefit more from reassurance about expected duration and symptom management than from antibiotics. 5
Approximately 10 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions occur annually for respiratory conditions, contributing to antibiotic resistance. 2