What kind of medicine will help me most?

It all depends on what you're hoping to treat. Fevers exist to help your immune system fight the virus, but pain relievers minimize the discomfort they cause. Dr. Dolhun usually recommends Advil (ibuprofen) over Tylenol (acetaminophen). "Both help with pain and fever reduction, but I generally recommend ibuprofen because it can help with that stuffiness that people feel," he says. If you have any gastrointestinal problems, kidney issues, or liver disease, though, go with acetaminophen — it's easier on the stomach. Just check other products for acetaminophen, Dolhun says, since too much can cause liver failure. "People have suffered from accidental overdoses when taking Tylenol with other cold treatments that already contain the same ingredient," he warns. Read labels carefully before popping a pill.

As far as over-the-counter cough medicines go, bad news: they're not all that, says Cranshaw. "I'm not a big believer in cough medicines," he says. "They haven't been shown to be very effective." For a runny nose, look for a decongestant like Benadryl, which can dry things up a bit. Got a sore throat? Gargle with salt water and take an appropriate pain reliever. "Sore throat is pain, just like a headache is pain, he adds. "I take Advil or Aleve when I have a sore throat, and it gets me through the night pretty well."