Protecting the skin from the sun is an important educational piece that needs to be given to patients that are prescribed doxycycline due to the adverse side effect of photosensitivity (Arcangelo et al., 2017). References Adis Medical Writers. (2017). Treat elderly patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia early based on infection severity and risk factors. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives,33 (9), 424-428. doi:10.1007/s40267-017-0430-x Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4 th ed.).

Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. Boyd, K. (2017). Back to the basics: Community-acquired pneumonia in children. Pediatric Annals, 46 (7), e257-e261. doi:10.3928/19382359-20170616-01 Thiem, U., Heppner, H., & Pientka, L. (2011). Elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Drugs & Aging, 28 (7), 519-537. doi:10.2165/11591980-000000000-00000 Response #1 Charlotte, Thank you for your very informative post on the common cold. The rhinovirus, coronavirus, or the adenovirus are the viral pathogens that cause the common cold and they are typically spread by inhalation of airborne droplets from sneezing or coughing or by direct contact (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). Even though the common cold is self-limiting and does not required antibiotics for treatment, secondary bacterial infections may develop in some individuals (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). Preventative measures can be taken to avoid contracting cold symptoms with the use of vitamin C and zinc (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). Studies conducted on school age children who take zinc sulfate 10-15 mg daily are absent from school less and take less antibiotics (Allan & Arroll, 2014). Probiotics have also been shown to reduce the chance of acquiring an upper respiratory tract infect and decreasing antibiotic use (Allan & Arrol, 2014). A combination therapy of a decongestant, analgesic, and antihistamine can be beneficial in adults

and children older than five (Allan & Arroll, 2014). Paracetamol/pseudoephedrine HCl, such as Sudafed Sinus over the counter medication is an example of a combination therapy. First- generation antihistamines that are helpful in reducing cold symptoms include chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, and promethazine (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). In combination with an antitussive, antihistamines are also beneficial to help patients sleep (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). Promethazine medications; however, are contraindicated in children under the age of two (Ismail & Schellack, 2018). References Allan, G. M., & Arroll, B. (2014). Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 186(3), 190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442 Ismail, H., & Schellack, N. (2018). Colds and flu – An overview of the management.