Feature Article: Symptoms — To Treat or Not to Treat?
Published on in Parents PACK
Published on in Parents PACK
Fever. Chills. Coughing. Sneezing. Headache. Stuffy nose.
Being sick is no fun. All you want is to feel better, or make your loved one feel better. Often, the first stop is the medicine cabinet or the “cough and cold” aisle of the local pharmacy. But is that really the best thing to do?
The instinct to treat the symptoms of illness makes sense. Over-the-counter medicines may make people feel better, but the reality is that, often, these medicines are just making the work of the immune system more difficult. This is because most symptoms are actually caused by the immune system’s response to an infection. Read on to find out what causes several of the common symptoms people experience when they are sick, and what to consider before opening the cap on that medicine bottle.
Check out what causes many of the symptoms people may experience when feeling sick:
This depends, to some extent, on who the patient is. Infants, people with chronic conditions for which they are being treated, and older adults may require medical guidance before receiving any medications. For example, infants younger than 2 months of age who have a fever need to be evaluated by a medical provider promptly as they may have an “as-yet-undetected” immune deficiency and could quickly take a turn for the worse. Likewise, individuals being treated with medications for chronic conditions may be advised against taking some or all over-the-counter medications because of the potential for interference of the drugs with one another.
However, generally speaking, for otherwise healthy older children and adults, symptoms of illness can be monitored for their severity and progression. If symptoms are mild and the person does not seem too uncomfortable, medications are probably not necessary. However, if the symptoms continue to worsen, are prolonged, or if the person is uncomfortable, you might want to offer medication or contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Certain symptoms are considered a medical emergency at any time and immediate medical care should be sought. Some of these include difficulty breathing, turning blue, becoming unresponsive, or losing consciousness; however, you should always consult a healthcare provider if you are unsure.
For more information about how the immune system works, its different components, and what happens when it is not working properly, check out the popular section of the Vaccine Education Center’s website about the human immune system.
Categories: Parents PACK August 2019, Feature Article
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.