Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Some OTC products contain an analgesic/antipyretic as a
single ingredient. Others combine an analgesic/antipyretic
with a nasal decongestant, an antihistamine, or a cough
suppressant. Products listed in the headaches, body aches,
fever, and flu-like symptoms category contain an
analgesic/antipyretic either alone or in combination with
other ingredient(s) to treat cold/flu/allergy symptoms.
Examples of products in the headaches, body aches, fever,
and flu-like symptoms category include the following:
Aspirin (plain aspirin, coated aspirin, or aspirin mixed with antacid): Aspirin
Regimen Bayer Regular Strength, Extra Strength Bayer Plus Caplets, Bufferin Analgesic Tablets,
Regular Strength Ascriptin, Ascriptin Enteric, and Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength
Acetaminophen: Tylenol Regular Strength Caplets and
Tablets, Aspirin Free Excedrin Analgesic Caplets and
Geltabs, Children's Tylenol Chewable Tablets, Elixir, and Suspension Liquid, and
Junior Strength Tylenol Coated Caplets and Chewable Tablets
NSAIDs: Advil Caplets, Aleve Tablets and Caplets,
Motrin IB Pain Reliever Caplets and Gelcaps, and Children's Motrin Drops
Aspirin plus a decongestant and/or cough suppressant: Alka-Seltzer
Plus Cold and Cough
Acetaminophen plus a decongestant and/or cough
suppressant: Tylenol Cold Medication Multi-Symptom Caplets and Tablets,
Theraflu Flu and Cold Medicine, Actifed Cold and Sinus Caplets and Tablets, and
Children's Tylenol Flu Liquid
NSAID plus a decongestant and/or cough suppressant:
Advil Cold and Sinus Caplets and Motrin IB Sinus Caplets and Tablets
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Herpes simplex infections are common and when they appear around the mouth and lips, people often refer to them as "cold sores" and "fever blisters." Canker sores are different than cold sores. Air droplets can spread the virus, as can direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. Cold sore treatment include over-the-counter medication as well as prescription medications.
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
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