Listen to your body and stay home if you need to. Rest gives your body a chance to fight the virus, although you may continue your usual activities if you feel up to it. Fluids help soothe the throat, relieve nasal congestion, and replace body fluids lost due to a fever. You may want to use single action medications, such as decongestants, aimed at your particular symptoms. Many combination products contain antihistamines, other medications, or alcohol that you don't want or need.
All medications can cause side effects.
Antihistamines, for example, are sedating, and not particularly effective for a runny nose not caused by allergy. This is a good suggestion at all times but especially when you are sick. Smoke is irritating and impairs the clearance of mucus from air passages. A herbal medicine called Echinacea is also considered to be effective in warding off a cold. When you have a cold, Zinc lozenges shorten the duration of symptoms.