I like to keep Steptasil lemon lozenges in the house for a sore, scratchy throat. They have a numbing agent in them that really helps plus the germ killing ingredients. I keep Benylin for colds in the cabinet. If he is on heart or blood pressure meds, you need Coracidin (sp) cough medicine? It is the box with the heart on the front for people that can't take other medicines for colds. Of course, Lipton chicken noodle soup is a family favourite during cold season.