Cures for the cold

SarahG

Unfortunately I am sick with something that gives me a fever and the like. My question to everyone is: Any special tricks that you use to clear up a cold or fever quickly? Nyquil only seems to make it bearable...

Deathwing

There really is nothing proven that will cure the common cold quickly (or at all, for that matter), except time and rest. Keep using the Nyquil, drink plenty of fluids, take hot showers, take large amounts of Vitamin C, etc.

As far as the fever....acetaminophen (Tylenol) usually helps me with that sort of thing, though be aware that the Nyquil most likely has about 1000 mg of it per adult dose already, so read the label carefully before taking separate tablets and the Nyquil at the same time.

Some people claim echinacea tea helps also, though I personally find it nasty.

Willeth

I eat copious amounts of Lockets, which are medicated lozenges with gooey deliciousness inside.

While it might not cure the cold, it at least means that my sinuses are unblocked for the duration of it.

oldsak

I usually sleep and eat a lot. It works pretty well. I don't know if it has any credence, but my theory is your body needs all the energy it can get while fighting infection.

Thanatos

The only effect you'll get from Vitamin C is a slight antihistamine effect at megadoses, and you'd be better off with something like Sudafed or Benadryl.

Zinc is about the only thing with any clinical evidence showing it reduces the duration of a cold.

SarahG

I used to take megadoses of vitamin C, which helped in terms of giving my immune system some ammo to ward off whatever it is I have a little easier. Thank you for the suggestions o_o

Namel3ss

weed?

Fizban140

Drink a ton of water, enough so you are pissing every 20 minutes. It works every time. It doesn't have to be water actually, just any liquid.

Belketre

Lots of Sudafed and fishermans friend have always worked well to keep me functioning. Doesn't mean you feel any less shitty, but it deals with the runny nose thing that drives me insane.

embrik

Thanatos wrote: »

The only effect you'll get from Vitamin C is a slight antihistamine effect at megadoses, and you'd be better off with something like Sudafed or Benadryl.

Zinc is about the only thing with any clinical evidence showing it reduces the duration of a cold.

There you go. Go to the store and get a bottle of Zinc supplements. Get the 50 mg tablets. Take one a day with food (you may feel sick if you don't take it with food). Additionally, It's safe to take when you feel a cold coming on. I've successfully avoided several colds by taking it for a week when I felt my throat get scratchy. My mother still holds the record in my family though - 2 years without a cold.