Taking Care When You’re Sick with a Respiratory Illness

Our bodies need to fight infections caused by viruses. Respiratory infections will make you feel ill and unwell. Most people can safely manage their symptoms with home treatment recommended below and recover without special treatment or seeing a doctor.

While at home, remember to wash your hands often with soap and water, wipe down high-touch surfaces with a disinfectant, and try to stay away from others.

Eeyou intihkuiin (traditional medicine) can help with healing. If available, use as recommended by traditional healers or other knowledgeable people in your community.

Watch for symptoms that get worse, or high fever, that may need medical care.

Manage Symptoms – Adults

Rest. You probably feel weak and tired. Rest will help you recover from an infection. But it’s not good to stay in bed all the time. Get back to normal activities as soon as you’re up to it.
Hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids (warm and cold). This is especially important if you have a fever, which can make you sweat and lose fluids.
The recommended daily fluid intake is 1.5 litres, about 6-8 glasses / day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks) as they can make you pee more and lose fluids.
Take medication for discomfort. If you have a fever, muscle aches, headaches or other symptoms, take acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil).
Don’t combine products that have the same ingredients, such as Tylenol and Tylenol Sinus.
Continue taking your usual medications even when you’re sick.
Call the pharmacy if you have questions about how over-the-counter medications might interact with your prescriptions.

Home Remedies – Adults

Sore throat: Suck on an ice cube or lozenge. Gargle with salt water (½ tsp per 1 cup of warm water). Eat soft, cold foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream.
Stuffy nose or congestion: Use a saline solution for nasal rinsing. It will help thin out mucus. Use a humidifier or hot shower to ease a cough or congestion. Both will also help sore throats.
Coughing at night: Prop yourself up in bed for better sleep.

If your symptoms get worse, or you don’t feel better after five or six days, call your CMC to see if you need to be assessed.

Manage symptoms - Babies and Children

Encourage your child to rest. It will help them get over their infection and feel better. They can get back to usual activities when they’re up for it. If they have a fever, keep them at home until it breaks.
Your child may be more irritable than usual. Young children may cry more often.
Encourage them to drink fluids. Children can drink warm or cold fluids. If they have a fever, they will sweat and lose fluids. Continue to breastfeed if that’s part of your routine.
Give your child a rehydration solution to prevent dehydration due to vomiting and/or diarrhea.
If your child is older than 3 months, give them medication to relieve fever or pain. Acetaminophen (like Tylenol) is preferable.
In some situations, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil) can be an option. Talk to a healthcare professional before giving your child an anti-inflammatory.
Continue giving them their usual medications as it applies.

Ask a pharmacist about how over-the-counter medications could interact with

Home Remedies – Babies and Children

Sore throat: If your child is 4 and older, they can suck on an ice cube or lozenge. Gargle with salt water (½ tsp per 1 cup of warm water). Eat soft, cold foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream.
Stuffy nose or congestion: Use a saline solution for nasal rinsing. It will help thin out mucus. Use a humidifier or warm bath to ease a cough or congestion. Both also help sore throats.
Coughing at night: Prop them up to help quiet a cough and get better sleep.

_{Go to the clinic or hospital immediately IF YOUR CHILD:}

_{Is under 3 months and has a fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher.}

_{Has a rectal temperature of 36 °C (96.8 °F)}_{or less.}

_{Has a chronic illness or is immunocompromised and has a temperature over 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).}

_{Has fever that lasts more than 48 hours AND is not eased by fever medication.}

_{Has a pale complexion, abnormal skin colouring, or blue lips.}

_{Is breathing more rapidly, has trouble breathing, or flaring nostrils, even after nasal rinsing with saline water.}

_{Has difficulty feeding.}

_{Has not urinated or had a bowel movement for 6-8 hours or has dark urine and a dry mouth.}

_{Is irritable, less alert, less active than usual, doesn’t react to stimulation, is listless.}

If you have any questions about whether you need to see a nurse or doctor, call your CMC/clinic.

_{Go to the clinic or hospital immediately IF YOU:}

_{Have trouble breathing}

_{Have chest pain}

_{Constant or worsening headache}

_{Can’t drink anything}

_{No urination for 12 hours, intense thirst}

_{Feel very sick}

_{Feel confused}

Updated

March 20, 2025

Taking Care When You’re Sick with a Respiratory Illness

Manage Symptoms – Adults

Home Remedies – Adults

Manage symptoms - Babies and Children

Home Remedies – Babies and Children

Infections

Respiratory Illness: How to Limit the Spread

NASAL RINSING FOR STUFFY NOSES

Eeyou Intihkuiin (traditional medicine)

Updated

Medical Assistance

Our Partners

Manage Symptoms – Adults

Home Remedies – Adults

Manage symptoms - Babies and Children

Home Remedies – Babies and Children

Infections

Respiratory Illness: How to Limit the Spread

NASAL RINSING FOR STUFFY NOSES

Eeyou Intihkuiin (traditional medicine)

Related health topics

Updated

Medical Assistance

Our Partners