Wash hands frequently to avoid spreading or catching a cold. Gargle with salt water or double strength warm or cold tea . Use hard candies as a throat losenges for relief of a sore throat. Reye Syndrom is an auto-immune disease that can be very dibilitating. Decongestants relieve congestion by thinning the mucous so it can drain away.
Antihistamines dry up secretions.
They are not good to take by themselves as they can thicken the sinus secretions when you need it to drain out of the sinuses. Dextromathoriphan and guaffenisin are the active ingredients in many cough medications and can loosen the mucous and soothe a scratchy cough. Ask you pharmacist to help you select the over the counter products best suited to relieve your symptoms.