Poisoning—Cold and Cough Medicines

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing — everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. Every year, adults get about 2-3 colds, and children get even more.

What can you do for your cold or cough symptoms? Besides drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest, you may decide to take medicines. There are lots of different cold and cough medicines, and they do different things.

• Nasal decongestants – unclog a stuffy nose
• Cough suppressants – quiet a cough
• Expectorants – loosen mucus so you can cough it up
• Antihistamines – stop runny noses and sneezing
• Pain relievers – ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains

Before taking these medicines, read the labels carefully. Many cold and cough medicines contain the same active ingredients. For example, taking too much of certain pain relievers can lead to serious injury. Do not give cold or cough medicines to children under four, and don’t give aspirin to children. Finally, antibiotics won’t help a cold.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. You might swallow it, inhale it, inject it, or absorb it through your skin. Any substance can be poisonous if too much is taken. Poisons can include

• Prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken in doses that are too high
• Overdoses of illegal drugs
• Carbon monoxide from gas appliances
• Household products, such as laundry powder or furniture polish
• Pesticides
• Indoor or outdoor plants
• Metals such as lead and mercury

The effects of poisoning range from short-term illness to brain damage, coma, and death. To prevent poisoning it is important to use and store products exactly as their labels say. Keep dangerous products where children can’t get to them. Treatment for poisoning depends on the type of poison. If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.

• Poisoning (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Poisoning first aid (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Toxicology screen (Medical Encyclopedia)