The nose and throat comprise the respiratory tract, and the common cold is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. While harmless, its symptoms do not make you feel this way--sore throat, congestion, sneezing, fatigue, body aches, runny or stuffy nose and cough. MayoClinic.com explains that antibiotics do not help with viral infections; they must simply run their course and go away on their own, which usually occurs within seven days.
Step 1
Keep fluids flowing. You lose bodily fluids through mucous every time you cough, sneeze and blow your nose. To prevent dehydration, you need to replace these bodily fluids with various liquids such as water, juice and broth. MayoClinic.com adds that drinking these liquids, especially hot liquids, can help loosen congestion.
Step 2
Use a moist warm cloth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point out that placing a moist warm cloth over an ear that is causing you pain can help relieve this pain.
Step 3
Gargle with warm salt water and use a sore throat spray or lozenges. When suffering from a sore throat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest gargling with warm salt water. Place a 1/2 tsp. of salt in a 8 oz. cup and then fill with warm water. Stir until the salt dissolves completely and gargle until the entire cup is empty. Repeat every two hours. You can also use a throat spray or suck on lozenges, both of which have a numbing effect. Follow the directions on the package to avoid over use.
Step 4
Eat plenty of chicken soup. MayoClinic.com explains that chicken soup helps relieve cold symptoms in two ways. First, it helps to temporarily speed up the movement of mucous, thus relieving congestion. Second, it inhibits the movement of the body's cells that participate in its inflammatory response. This means when inflammation of the nasal passages is about to strike, chicken soup can actually prevent it from occurring.
Step 5
Take the time to rest. Getting enough rest is imperative to overcoming your cold symptoms, as it enables your immune system to regain the strength it needs to fight the infection. Virginia Tech recommends seven to nine hours per night and suggests using extra pillows to elevate your head to a 45-degree angle if your nose is stuffy or you suffer from nasal drainage.
Step 6
Add a humidifier. Humidifiers supply your home with moisture, which combats the dry air that the common cold thrives in, according to MayoClinic.com. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes of your nose, resulting in a stuffy nose and scratchy throat.
