Despite all the press received for the flu, RSV, and Covid, the common cold is still around and though there is no cure for it, there are things you can do to reduce severity of symptoms, length of the cold, and comfort yourself to feel better in the meantime.
Determining if you have a cold or something else…
YOU MAY HAVE A COLD IF:
- Onset of symptoms: Gradual
- Fever: Rare
- Aches: only slight
- Chills: No
- Fatigue: sometimes
- Sneezing: Often
- Stuffy Nose: Yes
- Sore Throat: Yes
- Chest discomfort: Mild
- Headache: Rare
What is medically proven to help ease symptoms and keep you from feeling miserable?
With the common cold, you can expect to be sick from one to two weeks. Taking it easy and being kind to yourself can help greatly in the recovery. Your body needs rest.
- Drink hydrating liquids. Water, juices, broth or warm lemon water with honey can loosen congestion, expel phlegm, and help prevent dehydration.
- Rest. Your body needs plenty of rest and sleep to heal.
- Soothe a sore throat. Gargle with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water can temporarily help relieve a sore and scratchy throat. You can also try throat sprays, ice chips, lozenges, or hard candies.
- Breathe Easier. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion as can the use of a Neti pot with saline rinse.
- Relieve pain. For children 6 months or younger, give only acetaminophen. For children older than 6 months, give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your child’s doctor for the correct dose for your child’s age and weight.
Adults can take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.
Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. – Per the Mayo Clinic.
- Warm Liquids. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow.
- Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea.
- Add moisture to the air. A cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Try over the counter (OTC) cold and cough medications. For adults and children age 5 and older, OTC decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects.
Experts agree that these shouldn’t be given to younger children. Overuse and misuse of these medications can cause serious damage. Talk with your child’s doctor before giving any medications.
Take medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain multiple ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever, so read the labels of cold medications you take to make sure you’re not taking too much of any medication.
- Vitamin C. Some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten the duration of a cold.
- Echinacea. Though science has yet to conclude effectiveness, many swear by it to lessen symptoms and make them feel better. Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take at onset and continue it for 7 to 10 days.
- Zinc. Some studies show that zinc reduces the length of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.
What will NOT help: Antibiotics. It is a viral infection and antibiotics only help if you have a bacterial infection.
If you have a cold – stay home and rest. Drink lots of warm liquids, sleep when you are able, take warm soothing showers and or baths, bundle up on the couch and just relax. Going to the doctor for a cold won’t help. If you have symptoms outside of a normal cold, consult your physician.
If you are in the Fort Myers area and looking for a general practice physician who does concierge care, please give us a call at (239) 362-3005 Ext 200. Visit www.imlwp.com to learn more about the services we offer.
If you do have a cold, we hope you feel better soon!
