You may take over-the-counter medications to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Ask your doctor which medications you should take.

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FAQs About the Flu

Never give aspirin to children or teenagers with flu-like symptoms because it could cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.



If bearable and the fevers are within the limits that your doctor has indicated, you may want to consider withholding the use of even acetaminophen (products such as Tylenol).



However, use Tylenol when:

• your child has a fever (seizures are a possible result if left untreated).
  
  
• the symptoms are unbearable - because there is some data to suggest that its use actually prolongs the duration of the flu.
  
  

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat flu-related complications like bacterial infections, but antibiotics don't cure the flu or any other viruses.



To find out more about colds and flu, visit www.webmdhealth.com and enter "cold and flu guide" in the Search box.

The site provides information about prevention, symptoms, and treatment for colds and flu, including answers to common questions.