Whats the best way to avoid/cure a common cold?

Answer 1

There is no cure for the common cold; most people can treat the symptoms at home. If the symptoms become worse after 2 weeks or you are concerned about a child or an elderly person the GP should be consulted.

Antibiotics are not prescribed for the common cold because antibiotics do not work against viruses. Exceptions to this may be if the cold leads on to sinusitis, ear infection, tonsillitis, or if a person has chronic bronchitis and they know that a cold usually develops into a chest infection.

To relieve the symptoms the following may help:

Drinking plenty of fluids is important, especially for children. Warm drinks can be especially soothing.
It is important to avoid smoking as this irritates the nose and throat.
It may be helpful to sleep with more pillows.
Other self-help advice:

Steam inhalations (a towel is placed over the head over a bowl of very hot water) to relieve congestion. The steam itself may help to loosen any mucus and make it easier to clear. Care should be taken to avoid the steam getting into the eyes as this can burn. This is not advised for children because of the risk of scalding. A child may benefit from sitting in a hot steamy bathroom. Some ingredients added to the water, e.g. menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, thymol and pine oil also give a sensation of clearing the passageways. Some products are specially made for babies and young children (over three months), and can be rubbed onto the throat and chest.

Decongestants- Decongestants can be taken by mouth (oral) or used as sprays in the nose (nasal). They work by reducing the swelling in the passageways and help to ease breathing. Oral decongestants for example, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine are used in many over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies.

Oral decongestants can cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate leading to feeling more alert. They may interact with some antidepressants and beta-blockers, this should be checked with the GP or pharmacist. People with high blood pressure, heart problems or glaucoma should also check before using an oral decongestant. Nasal decongestants for example, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, phenylephrine, ephedrine are applied directly to the inside of the nose. They are available as sprays or nose drops.

Nasal decongestants work specifically on the nose and are usually safe for adults and older children to use. However people taking a certain type of antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOI’s) should not use a nasal decongestant. They should not used for more than 5-7 days as this can lead worse congestion.

Babies may find feeding difficult if they have a blocked nose. Saline (salt water) nose drops (available from the pharmacist) can help if used just before feeding. If this does not work, ephedrine nose drops can be bought OTC at the pharmacist for babies over 3 months. These should not be used for more than 3-4 days.

Antihistamines can be useful because one of the side effects of the older antihistamines is that they can help dry up mucus. Examples of antihistamines used in cold remedies are chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine and triprolidine.

Antihistamines may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty in passing urine or blurred vision. They might interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness such as alcohol, and some antidepressants. So check with the pharmacist or GP before taking cold remedies containing antihistamines. People with glaucoma or prostate problems should also check.

Combination oral decongestants and antihistamines- there can be an advantage in combination products of oral decongestants and antihistamines because the oral decongestant can reduce the drowsiness from the antihistamine. Note the precautions of both the decongestants and the antihistamines.

Paracetamol and aspirin are also included in some OTC cold medicines. They reduce fever and temperature and are also painkillers. The maximum daily allowance must be noted. Check with the pharmacist or G.P. if any other painkillers are being taken. Liquid paracetamol, such as Calpol can be useful for babies and children if they have a fever. Aspirin must not be given to children under 16 years.

Vitamin C has also been recommended for cold treatment and prevention. Some products contain vitamin C. Small doses may have some beneficial effects, large doses should be avoided, for example 1 gram (1000 milligrams or mg) This is especially important for diabetics or those taking anticoagulants such as warfarin. There have been recent concerns about the effects of cranberry juice on the effectiveness of warfarin. The Committee on Safety of Medicines is is currently reviewing reports, which suggest that cranberry juice acts to increase the potency of warfarin and may therefore increase the risk of haemorrhage. Present advice is to avoid or limit drinking cranberry juice if you are taking warfarin, until the situation has been investigated further.

Echinacea is a herbal medicine available as drops or tablets. There is currently no evidence that it works to prevent or reduce cold symptoms, but some people believe it to be helpful. Echinacea should not be used for children.

People taking any medication that suppresses the immune system (including steroids, medication for transplants or HIV drugs) should consult the pharmacist or GP before taking any medication for colds.

Answer 2

Cold remedies: What works If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for about a week. But that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies may help: * Water and other fluids. You can't flush a cold out of your system, but drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse. * Salt water. A saltwater gargle — 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. * Saline nasal sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline sprays don't lead to a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children. * Chicken soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their sick children. Now scientists have put chicken soup to the test, discovering that it does have effects that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms in two ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining. So which is better, homemade or canned? Researchers at the University of Nebraska compared homemade chicken soup with canned versions and found that many, though not all, canned chicken soups worked just as well as soups made from scratch. *Over-the-counter cold medications. Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief, but they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents avoid such cold medicines for children younger than age 2. And they are evaluating the safety of these medications in older children. Keep in mind that acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can cause serious liver damage or liver failure if taken in high doses. It's common for people to take Tylenol in addition to flu medications that also contain acetaminophen, which can lead to drug overdoses. Read the labels of any cold medication carefully to make sure you're not overdosing. * Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions — another reason why colds are more common in winter. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier can add moisture to your home, but it can also add mold, fungi and bacteria if not cleaned properly. Change the water in your humidifier daily, and clean the unit at least once every three days.

Answer 3

To cure a cold, at the first signs of a runny nose or a sore throat, I will drink lots of orange juice or eat oranges and take Echinacea which is a herbal extract. I would say that this works most of the time for me so I rarely have a full blown cold.

Answer 4

now, as the cold has been on, its better to avoid going out to prevent the others from this contagious disease. the cure is easy, you may enjoy the rest and fluids to avoid dehydration, and its better to have some tonic, "cold be gone tea" of secrets of tea is an organic formula mended to withstand the wear and tear accompanied by common cold and cough, it boosts the immunity and relieves instantly.

Answer 5

the best way to cure a cold is by drinking a lot of water, rest and take a pill like actifed, xl3 that won´t cure the cold but will help with the syntoms.

Answer 6

Tea tree steam inhalation if you think you've been exposed to germs should help prevent the onset of a virus as it's anti-viral and antibacterial and the heat of the steam will help to kill the germs too. This'll also help you feel better if you already have a cold, as the steam and piney/eucalyptussy scent of the tea tree will help to clear the head.

Answer 7

No cure, but my ma used to say keep your middle warm to stay healthy and used to swear a sweaty sock tied round your neck would cure a cold ;-)

Answer 8

best way to avoid a cold is good hand washing frequently, a balanced diet and adequate sleep.
there is no cure for the common cold, but, you can effectively treat it and shorten it's duration by using Zicam nasal swabs.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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