Have you tried an antihistamine?

Whats the difference between an antihistamine and a decongestent? I went to the drug store and they said to take Nyquil Sinex which has Doxylamine, Phenylephrine and Acetaminophen. I have not tried an antihistime yet. I do know that I can't take anything for another couple of hours. I haven't tried the Nyquil because I know that it will put me to sleep and it will be a fitful sleep so I'm hesitant about taking it.

An antihistamine blocks whatever irritant is causing the congestion, like dust, ragweed, animal dander etc. A nasal decongestant clears up the congestion in your sinus passages. I would take both of those. Also ibuprofen like Advil, not acetaminophen, Advil will help with pain, fever and inflammation. Tylenol doesn't do anything for inflammation.

I would also recommend a salt water sinus rinse. I absolutely swear by it. Use the pre-packaged salt packets, my pharmacist told me reg. salt, sea salt, etc. is too harsh and can leave a residue. Also use distilled water. I heat mine in the microwave for about 30 seconds. This is the one I use....

I hope you feel better very soon, I hear this stuff is terrible and is spreading like wildfire.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinus Rinse

My husband had the same thing and the dr. put him on Amoxicilan. The pharmacist recommended Mucinex*DM and some allergy medicine to help clear up all the symptoms.
This and the stomach flu has been speeding around Kansas and it is miserable..especially when you get both at the same time.

I agree with the saline wash you can buy it in a spray bottle and in a pressurized can which helps it really get up in there, the saline helps dry up the sniffles.

I also use vicks vaporub in and around my nostrils.

Another thing that really works great and I really don't know why, at night rub a good amount of vicks vaporub on the bottom of your feet and put on a pair of socks. I rub it on my chest too like my mom used to do for me.

This recent flu had us down for 3 weeks it was horrible and the thing that finally helped was antibiotics from the doctor, I had to have 2 rounds of it but I am taking a lot of immune suppression drugs so it's tough for me to kick stuff.

I woke up yesterday with what must be the flu: chills, headache, dizziness, diarrhea. No cold, though. Am feeling just a bit better, although still weak, this morning.

My BFF got a virus even though she had gotten a flu shot. Started with a sore throat, went into a cough.

I went to the doctor this morning. I don't normally do that and instead try to ride it out but this morning I decided I have fairly decent insurance and I should see if something is going on that won't clear up. Anyway, doctor says I likely have a sinus infection and my throat looks like it could have strep. Gave me an antibiotic. Now if I could only get my hubby to go. He is such a stubborn man. I'm not feeling better yet - but I only just took the first round. Maybe if he sees that I'm better, he'll get in there on Monday.

I swear by ginger tea~~you can buy it or buy ginger and make your own. I am also into Echinacea Plus tea, I carry both in my purse~~~ginger tea is good for digestion/congestion~~my DH was sick at the begining of December with a very bad cold. I drank both of these teas daily, several times a day. I also added an extra Turmeric pill and was able to fight it off~~~daily I felt like I was getting sick, but did not.

Yogi brand makes both of these teas and are sold in health/natural food stores or you can get both cheaper at the Mexican spice area of grocery stores at least here in So Cal you can;) I also use a netti pot daily, twice daily if I am really feeling bad. I do all the same as Katlan, but I use the netti pot.

I know it helped me not get sick, if I get that nasty cold it always turns int a sinus infection and off to the dr I go. So I use as many home remedies s I can~~~most OTC stuff makes me jittery and feeling almost worse.