By Caitlin Tilley, Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com
16:13 01 Dec 2023, updated 17:04 01 Dec 2023
With the official onset of flu season, the CDC reports a steady rise in serious cases, leading to 12,000 hospital admissions and 740 deaths so far.
For those battling milder cases, it’s challenging to find effective remedies amidst the warnings from health officials about the ineffectiveness of many products previously relied upon.
Dr. Meghan Martin, an emergency doctor from Florida, has cautioned against potentially harmful ‘treatments’ previously considered as remedies.
In a video posted on her TikTok channel, Dr. Meghan Martin conducts a detailed analysis of over-the-counter products, emphasizing that multi-symptom medications are not recommended.
She highlights the potential side effects of commonly used products, such as NyQuil, DayQuil, and Mucinex, stating that they can have adverse effects, including drowsiness and blurred vision.
A recent trend of ingesting multiple antihistamine tablets alleged to be a TikTok “Benadryl challenge” has resulted in the deaths of two US teens, according to reports by health experts. (READ MORE: Warning from health experts over deadly TikTok Benadryl challenge)
Dr. Martin advised against the use of cough syrups and suppressants, emphasizing the importance of allowing the body to expel mucus naturally. She promotes the use of honey and saline sprays as more effective remedies.
Furthermore, she recommends acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever, encouraging hydration and the use of inexpensive digital thermometers to monitor temperatures.
To steer clear of ineffective products, she advises against oral medications containing phenylephrine as their only active ingredient, as studies show them to be no better than placebos for treating a stuffy nose.
