As the Mayo Clinic explains, no cure for the common cold exists. Because it is a viral infection--one that dose not respond to antibiotics--the only recourse people have is to treat the symptoms in an effort to make themselves as comfortable as possible until the cold runs its course and the infection goes away. Symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, chest congestion and sore throat.
Step 1
Go to bed. Getting enough rest is key to recovering from a cold, and as the website Mercola.com points out, it may even speed up recovery time. It allows a person to recuperate while their immune system strengthens, becoming strong enough to fight the virus. The Mayo Clinic adds that resting while sick prevents the spread of infection to others. Rather than going to work when sick, stay home, especially when taking a medication that may cause drowsiness.
Step 2
Increase fluid intake. The body loses fluids when a person coughs or sneezes, when mucus is expelled, so dehydration can be a threat. Flushing out the virus also requires plenty of fluids. Mercola explains that water is the best fluid, as it helps loosen secretions and relieve stuffiness. However, juice and tea are also acceptable choices. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day.
Step 3
Eat a bowl of chicken soup, which helps relieve congestion faster by temporarily speeding up the movement of mucus through the nose, which limits the time the virus spends in contact with the nasal lining so it has less time to do harm, according to the Mayo Clinic. While once thought of as an old wives' tale, it is now a clinical recommendation for those trying to relieve cold symptoms.
Step 4
Gargle with warm saltwater. Those suffering from a sore throat may find relief from warm saltwater. Fill an 8 oz. glass with water warm enough to dissolve two teaspoons of salt, add salt, stir and proceed to take normal sips, tipping the head back to gargle for a minute. Repeat this until the entire glass is done. Repeat, on average, every two hours. This not only relieves the pain, but salt helps heal the throat as well.
Step 5
Wash hands frequently throughout the day. Washing hands helps prevent the spread of infection to others and should be done every time a person sneezes, coughs or touches his face. An anti-bacterial soap is the best choice. Before washing, pick up three clean napkins. Use one to turn the faucet on, then throw away. Proceed to wash the hands. Use another napkin to dry the hands and then throw away. Use the last napkin to turn the faucet off. Doing so ensures complete cleanliness and germ prevention to avoid spreading the virus. It also benefits the person who is sick--the sooner the virus is out of the home, the sooner he can get well again.
