The common cold can leave you feeling absolutely miserable. Symptoms include a runny and stuffy nose, a hacking cough, sore throat, sneezing and watery eyes. The Mayo Clinic states that the common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, and viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. It is for this reason that you can only treat the symptoms to make life more bearable until the infection passes.
Step 1
Rest. Children need to stay home from school and adults need to take time off from work. This not only decreases the risk of passing the infection to others, it also allows your body's immune system time to build the strength it needs to ward off the infection. The Mayo Clinic adds that certain over-the-counter medications that help relieve your symptoms may make you drowsy, as will a fever.
Step 2
Hydrate. One of the most important things you can do when suffering from a cold is keep yourself hydrated with fluids. Your body loses fluid through mucus when you cough, sneeze or blow your nose; this can lead to dehydration. The Mayo Clinic states that water, juices and warm soup are good choices. Try to keep the liquids clear, as they do not add to further congestion.
Step 3
Eat more chicken soup. Chicken soup, once considered just an old wives' tale, it does appear to have a positive effect on cold symptoms in more ways than one. When the cold strikes, it causes inflammation along the lining of the nasal and respiratory passages. Chicken soup actually inhibits the cells responsible for this inflammation, stopping the body from responding to these cells. It also relieves congestion temporarily by moving mucus more rapidly through the nose.
Step 4
Gargle with a warm, saltwater mix to relieve a sore throat. When trying to relieve the pain from a sore throat, the website, FamilyDoctor, suggests gargling with a warm saltwater mix several times a day. Take an 8 oz. glass of warm water and stir in 1/2 to 1 tsp. of salt until the salt is completely dissolved. Gargle until the entire glass is gone. Repeat approximately every two hours.
Step 5
Use a humidifier. Colds are most common in winter due to the dry conditions. To combat this, hook up a humidifier in your home to add moisture; this helps relieve your stuffy nose and scratchy throat. The Mayo Clinic warns it can also add mold and fungi if it is not properly cleaned. The water should be changed daily and the entire unit cleaned a minimum of once a week according to the manufacturers instructions.
Step 6
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. The common cold can result in body aches and pains, especially when a fever accompanies it. Adults can safely take acetaminophen or ibuprofen; however, you should consult with your doctor about your infant and younger children. The Mayo Clinic warns that a child should never be given aspirin, as it can result in Reye's syndrome. While rare, it has the potential to be fatal.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Juice
- Chicken soup
- Humidifier
- Pain reliever
- Salt
