Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for an upper respiratory infection ("URI"). A URI can affect your nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. Almost all URIs are caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not usually help. The common cold is an example of a viral URI.
URIs easily spread between people, most often through coughing or sneezing. A URI almost always gets better on its own in about a week.
If you do have a bacterial infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Drink lots of fluids (water, juice, or broth) to stay hydrated, unless the doctor told you otherwise. This helps replace any fluids lost through runny nose or fever. Warm tea or soup can also help soothe a sore throat.
●To help a stuffy nose and make it easier to breathe, use saline nose drops or spray. Some people find that it helps to use a cool mist humidifier if the air in the home is dry.
●Follow the directions on the label carefully if you take over-the-counter cough or cold medicines. Do not take more than 1 medicine that contains acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). Also, if you have a heart problem or high blood pressure, check with your doctor before you take any of these medicines.
●Wash your hands often. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow instead of your hands. When around others, you might also want to wear a face mask. These things help prevent spreading the infection.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for several days, chills, a very bad sore throat, or ear or sinus pain
●Get a new fever after several days of feeling the same or getting better
●Have chest pain when you cough
●Have a cough that lasts longer than 10 days
●Cough up blood
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and colds (The Basics)
Patient education: Flu (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute bronchitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sinusitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Influenza symptoms and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Influenza prevention (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute bronchitis in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute sinusitis (sinus infection) (Beyond the Basics)
