Hands holding a steaming glass mug of hot lemon and honey on a knitted blanket beside a halved lemon, a honey jar and tissues by a rainy window

Selsema (Common Cold): Ubat Selsema untuk Dewasa & Kanak-kanak

十月 12, 2026 Drann Editorial Team

Selsema (the common cold) is a viral infection of the nose and throat that causes a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough, and most people feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks. There is no cure and antibiotics do not help, but rest, plenty of fluids and pharmacy medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and decongestants can ease symptoms. Decongestants should not be used by children under 6, and aspirin should not be given to children under 16. Antihistamines like cetirizine work well for allergies but have only a small, short-lived effect on colds. See a doctor if a high temperature lasts more than 3 days, you feel short of breath, or symptoms do not improve after 10 days.

Selsema symptoms: what does a cold feel like?

Selsema (or selesema) is the Malay word for the common cold. According to the NHS, cold symptoms come on gradually over 2 to 3 days. The main symptoms are:

a blocked or runny nose;
sneezing;
a sore throat;
a hoarse voice;
a cough;
feeling tired and unwell.

You may also have a high temperature, aching muscles, a loss of taste and smell, and a feeling of pressure in your ears and face. Most people start to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks.

In young children, symptoms can last longer. They may be irritable, have trouble feeding and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and be sick after coughing.

Selsema, flu or resdung (allergy)?

A runny nose and sneezing can come from a cold, flu or an allergy. These clues can help:

	Cold (selsema)	Flu	Allergic rhinitis
Onset	Gradual, over a few days	Sudden, within a few hours	Within minutes of contact with a trigger
Main symptoms	Runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough	High temperature, aching body, exhaustion, dry cough, headache	Sneezing, itchy nose, runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy roof of the mouth
How unwell	Unwell, but usually able to carry on	Too unwell to carry on as normal	Symptoms return with each contact with the trigger
Common triggers	Cold viruses	Flu viruses	House dust mites, pet dander, mould, pollen

Many Malaysians call a long-lasting or recurring runny nose "resdung". It can be caused by allergic rhinitis or by sinus problems, so see a doctor if it keeps coming back. A high fever with severe headache, pain behind the eyes and body aches, without much of a runny nose, may be demam denggi instead.

How to get rid of a cold at home

You can usually treat a cold at home. The NHS recommends:

getting plenty of rest;
drinking lots of fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration;
eating healthy food (small children often lose their appetite for a few days);
gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat (not for children);
a hot lemon and honey drink: squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey (not for small children, and no honey for babies under 12 months);
breathing in steam to ease a blocked nose, for example by sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running (do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water, as they can be scalded);
not smoking, which can make symptoms worse.

If your sore throat is the main problem, see our guide to sakit tekak.

Vitamin C and other supplements. The NHS says there is little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help you recover faster. Our vitamin C guide explains what the research shows.

Ubat selsema dewasa: pharmacy medicines for adults

There is no medicine that cures a cold, but a pharmacist can recommend products to ease symptoms, according to the NHS:

paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease aches and lower a temperature;
decongestant nasal sprays, drops or tablets to unblock your nose;
combination cough and cold remedies.

Important safety points:

do not use decongestant nasal sprays for more than a week, as this can make your blocked nose worse;
do not take other cough and cold medicines if you are already taking paracetamol or ibuprofen tablets, as you may take more medicine than you should;
some cold medicines are not suitable during pregnancy, so ask a pharmacist.

Antibiotics do not help colds. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only work against bacteria, so they will not relieve symptoms or speed up recovery.

Ubat selsema budak: colds in children

Children get colds often and may take longer to recover. According to the NHS:

give rest, fluids and, if needed, children's paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort, following the dose for their age;
decongestants should not be used in children under 6;
do not give aspirin to children under 16;
do not give honey to babies under 12 months, and do not give hot drinks to small children;
vapour rubs can help ease chesty coughs in babies and small children;
some cough and cold medicines are not suitable for babies and children, so always check the label or ask a pharmacist.

A sore throat and fever followed by mouth ulcers and spots on the hands and feet is more likely to be HFMD than a cold.

Does cetirizine help selsema?

Cetirizine is an antihistamine often used for allergies. The NHS lists antihistamines among the pharmacy treatments for allergic rhinitis, along with steroid nasal sprays and salt water nasal rinses.

For the common cold, the evidence is weaker. A Cochrane review of 18 trials with 4,342 people found:

in adults, antihistamines gave a small, short-term benefit on overall symptoms on the first one or two days (45% improved compared with 38% on placebo);
there was no benefit after 3 to 10 days;
only two trials included children, and their results were conflicting.

So cetirizine is a good choice if your runny nose is caused by an allergy, but it does little for a cold. According to the NHS, cetirizine liquid from a pharmacy can be given to children aged 2 to 5, tablets and liquid to children 6 and over, and children aged 1 only if a doctor prescribes it. Check with a pharmacist before giving it to a child.

How colds spread and how to prevent them

Colds spread through coughs and sneezes, and the germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. You can spread a cold from a few days before symptoms start until they have gone, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.

To avoid catching or spreading a cold, the NHS advises:

washing your hands often with warm water and soap;
using tissues to trap coughs and sneezes, and throwing them away quickly;
not sharing towels, cups or children's toys with someone who has a cold;
not touching your eyes or nose if you may have touched the virus;
staying at home if you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for normal activities.

The flu vaccine protects against flu, not colds. During haze, an irritated nose and throat may be caused by the smoke rather than a cold; see our haze survival guide.

When to see a doctor

According to the NHS, see a doctor if:

you have a high temperature for more than 3 days, or a very high temperature with feeling hot, cold or shivery;
your symptoms get worse, or do not improve after 10 days;
you feel short of breath or have chest pain;
you have a cough for more than 3 weeks;
you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition, or a weakened immune system;
you are worried about your child's symptoms.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is selsema in English?

Selsema (also spelled selesema) is the Malay word for the common cold: a viral infection of the nose and throat that causes a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. Most people feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks.

What is the best ubat selsema for adults?

There is no cure for a cold, but a pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease symptoms, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and fever, and decongestant tablets, sprays or drops for a blocked nose. Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for more than a week, and do not take extra cold remedies that also contain paracetamol or ibuprofen.

What can I give a child with a cold (ubat selsema budak)?

Rest, fluids and children's paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort usually help. Decongestants should not be used in children under 6, aspirin should not be given to children under 16, and honey should not be given to babies under 12 months. Ask a pharmacist which products suit your child's age.

Does cetirizine work for selsema?

Antihistamines such as cetirizine work best for allergic rhinitis (sneezing and a runny nose caused by allergies). For the common cold, a Cochrane review found only a small short-term benefit in adults on the first one or two days, no benefit after that, and unclear results in children.

How do I know if it is a cold, flu or allergy?

A cold comes on gradually and mainly affects the nose and throat. Flu comes on suddenly with a high temperature, body aches and exhaustion. An allergy (such as resdung or allergic rhinitis) causes sneezing, an itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes within minutes of contact with a trigger like dust mites.

Do I need antibiotics for selsema?

No. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only work against bacteria, so they will not relieve symptoms or help you recover faster.

When should I see a doctor for a cold?

See a doctor if you have a high temperature for more than 3 days, symptoms that get worse or do not improve after 10 days, shortness of breath or chest pain, a cough lasting more than 3 weeks, or a long-term condition or weakened immune system. Also see a doctor if you are worried about your child.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.