What medicine should I take when sneezing and having a stuffy and runny nose?
Recently, the weather has changed frequently, and patients with colds and allergic rhinitis have increased. Sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose have become hot health topics. The following is a compilation of relevant content that has been hotly discussed across the Internet in the past 10 days, combined with authoritative medication recommendations to provide you with a structured reference.
1. Top 5 popular symptom discussions on the Internet

| Ranking | Symptom keywords | Search volume trends | associated diseases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | allergic rhinitis | ↑38% | Hay fever/dust mite allergy |
| 2 | Early stage of cold | ↑25% | viral cold |
| 3 | sinusitis | ↑17% | bacterial infection |
| 4 | Seasonal symptoms | ↑42% | Sensitive to temperature differences |
| 5 | New coronavirus variant | ↑15% | JN.1 mutant strain |
2. Recommended list of symptomatic drugs
| Symptom type | Recommended medicine | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| allergic rhinitis | Loratadine/Cetirizine | antihistamine | Avoid taking it with alcohol |
| viral cold | Pseudoephedrine + acetaminophen | Decongestant + antipyretic | Use with caution in patients with high blood pressure |
| bacterial sinusitis | amoxicillin-clavulanic acid | antibiotics | Requires doctor's prescription |
| Simple nasal congestion | Oxymetazoline spray | vasoconstrictor | Continuous use ≤3 days |
3. Latest suggestions from experts (updated in 2024)
1.Differential diagnosis: The latest clinical guidelines emphasize the need to distinguish between allergic rhinitis (itchy eyes + watery discharge) and colds (sore throat + fever).
2.Medication time limit: Antihistamines are recommended to be taken in the morning, and nasal spray hormones need to be used continuously for 1-2 weeks to take effect.
3.Medication for children: Decongestants are prohibited for children under 2 years old. Normal saline flushing and physical treatment with a nasal aspirator are recommended.
4. The TOP3 adjuvant therapies are hotly discussed across the Internet
| therapy | support rate | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal irrigation | 87% | Level I evidence |
| Ginger brown sugar water | 65% | folk prescription |
| steam inhalation | 72% | Level II evidence |
5. Medication contraindication reminder
1.drug interactions: People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors are prohibited from taking drugs containing pseudoephedrine.
2.Special groups: Pregnant women prefer normal saline flushing, while lactating women can use loratadine (subject to medical advice).
3.Overlay risk: Different cold medicines may contain the same ingredients. Be wary of overdose of acetaminophen (daily ≤3000mg).
6. Prediction of recovery time
| disease type | average disease duration | Relief time after medication |
|---|---|---|
| viral cold | 5-7 days | 24-48 hours |
| allergic rhinitis | ongoing exposure to allergens | 1-2 hours (antihistamines) |
| acute sinusitis | 10-14 days | 3-5 days (antibiotics) |
Note: The above data are compiled from the latest diagnosis and treatment plans of the State Food and Drug Administration, WHO and analysis of hot words discussed in health topics across the Internet. Please follow your doctor's advice for specific medication. If symptoms persist for more than 7 days or fever or purulent discharge occurs, seek medical attention promptly.
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