It just masks symptoms really

Funnily enough, one of the most common active ingredients in non-drowsy cold medicine and decongestants, Phenylephrine, that was sold over the counter for decades was recently reviewed and found to be equally as effective as placebo. So "Does cold medicine even work?"... in that they sometimes include acetaminophen or ibuprofen in them, both of which work fine for aches and pain, but as for helping with congestion.... some of them, really dont, no.

Reference: FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Monograph Nasal Decongestant Active Ingredient After Extensive Review | FDA https://share.google/iwqlgBmr13L65jNqx

The ones with paracetamol or acetaminophen(or Tylenol, if you need a brand) are anti inflammatory, and some have anti contestants as well, but you need to be careful with the first. A lot of people don't realize it has a strong drug in it, and said drug has a daily limit or you may need to say goodbye to your liver.

So for those specific symptoms it can help, but personally I don't bother unless it's really bad with congestion, and I hardly ever use the anti inflammatory unless I have a high fever.

I dunno, but whatever they gave me in boot camp back in 2000 sure works. Haven't been sick since, except a couple cases of food poisoning. Haven't even caught COVID.