To help you get better more quickly: rest and sleep. drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration. gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
Drink plenty of warm drinks. Staying hydrated is important to flush out the cold virus from your body. Drinks like warm water, warm lemon water with half a teaspoon of honey, warm tea, herbal tea, and chicken soup are recommended.
Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity. A 2013 review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold but was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms.
Most adults with colds usually recover within three to seven days. However, some symptoms, such as nasal and chest congestion, coughing and sneezing, may linger for up to two weeks. In children, cold symptoms last about two weeks, with the worst symptoms occurring during the first 10 days.
There are more than 100 strains of rhinoviruses, and they are very good at growing in the nose and throat. The idea behind using zinc to stop cold symptoms is based on lab experiments. Scientists found that zinc blocked the rhinovirus from getting into cells.
You can spread the common cold from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.
Within 7–10 days , people will usually start to recover from a cold. Symptoms begin to ease up, and people will start feeling better. People may also find that they have more energy and are more able to carry out tasks as usual.
Symptoms level off and fade: Cold symptoms usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 days. After 2 or 3 days of symptoms, the mucus discharged from your nose may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic.
If symptoms get worse, rather than better, after 3-7 days, you may have acquired a bacterial infection. These symptoms can also be caused by a cold virus other than a rhinovirus.
Research shows that the immune system follows a circadian rhythm and that the cells involved in healing and inflammation tend to rev up in the evening. Some evidence suggests that more white blood cells (WBCs) are sent to your tissues to fight off infection during the night compared to the day.
Nose blowing can relieve some sinus pressure and provide comfort, but it cannot clear the bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses. The infections require medical attention.
Day 4: Mucus may turn yellow or green (this is normal). Sore throat improves, but coughing begins. Days 5-7: Energy and congestion improve. 1 week+: Cough usually tapers off after a week, but can take up to 3-6 weeks to fully resolve.
Blowing your nose to alleviate stuffiness may be second nature, but some people argue it does no good, reversing the flow of mucus into the sinuses and slowing the drainage. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but research shows it to be true.
There is no way to get rid of a cold fast. A cold will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, a person may experience uncomfortable symptoms while they recover. People can take steps to aid recovery, such as getting plenty of rest.
Let's clear the air on one thing – cold air doesn't make you sick. In fact, getting fresh air is good for you when you're feeling under the weather. When you're cooped up inside, you're sharing the same air with those around you.
Feeling Overly Stressed
Stress can affect your immune system, forcing it to work harder, Taneja-Uppal says. During cold and flu season, you need your immune system to help you return to good health when you get sick. The more stressed you are, the longer a common cold can last.
Vinegar is a natural product that is shown to kill cold and flu germs. It is 5 percent acetic acid, and the acid is what kills bacteria and viruses. Mix hot water and vinegar for the best results. Hydrogen peroxide, another common household item, can also be used to kill bacteria and viruses.
Taking vitamin D is not a guaranteed guard against the cold or flu. But vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and might give you a boost. Vitamin D: New studies suggest that people with low blood levels of vitamin D are more likely to get sick. Researchers think that vitamin D may play a role in boosting immunity.
The Vitamin D “Hammer”
Gary Swalfenberg, MD recommends a one time 50,000 IU dose of Vitamin D at the first sign of the flu, or 10,000 IU taken three times daily for 48-72 hours or until the symptoms subside.