3 Ways to Cure the Common Cold

1. An Ounce of Prevention

The easiest way to get rid of the common cold is to avoid getting it in the first place. Experts recommend good hygiene practices to ward off the cold, especially regular hand washing. If you're going somewhere that doesn't have an easily accessible sink, bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Once you've washed your hands, be sure not to touch your face. You run the risk of catching a cold just by touching a surface infested with cold germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it might not be possible, avoid contact with anyone who has a cold, and provide tissues and sanitizing wipes to family members who are sick so that they can stop the spread of their germs.

2. Drink Something

While there is no real cure for the common cold, there are some remedies that seem to help people get better faster. Doctors always recommend drinking eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day, but hydration is even more important when you're ill. Sip water, juice, tea or clear broth to help decongest you. If you have a sore throat, mix 1/2 tsp. of salt into one of your 8-oz. glasses of warm water and gargle. Saltwater helps the healing process. And of course, anyone with a cold should heat up a pot of chicken soup. The soup relieves congestion and helps the body's inflammatory response. It doesn't matter if the soup is fresh or canned--a study at the University of Nebraska showed that most canned chicken soups have the same healing powers as freshly made soup.

3. Consider an Over-the-Counter Solution

During the cold season, pharmacy aisles are packed with pain relievers and decongestants that promise to relieve some symptoms. Medicines like DayQuil keep you alert to make it through your day, while acetaminophen pills like Tylenol help reduce aches and pains. Doctors recommend only using medications like these for a few days, or else your symptoms might get worse. If you still need these medications after a week, it's a good idea to consult a doctor to make sure you just have a cold. However, if you have a child who has a cold and you're considering buying cold remedies for him, check with your doctor first. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't recommend medicines like these for children under 2 years old, and they may not be safe for children under 5, either.