How to get rid of a cold quickly

Video: How To Get Rid Of A COLD FAST!! (Remedies That Actually WORK!!)

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Method 1 of 4: Get rid of a cold quickly
Method 2 of 4: Clear your cavities
Method 3 of 4: Give your body a rest
Method 4 of 4: Relieve other symptoms
Necessities

Although not a dangerous virus, a cold can make you feel pretty bad. If you want to get rid of a cold quickly, get it early. If you think you've caught a cold, you should start taking precautions right away. Take more vitamins. Soothe your throat. Clear your nasal passages. These measures boost your body's ability to fight the common cold, so that hopefully it lasts shorter. In addition, you should rest and relax as much as possible. Do not ask your doctor for antibiotics, because the common cold is caused by a virus, not bacteria, so antibiotics are of no help.

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Method 1 of 4: Get rid of a cold quickly

Quickly recognize the symptoms of a cold. Symptoms start almost immediately after you contract the virus. Signs of a cold include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, mild muscle pain, elevation, and mild fatigue. If you want to get rid of your cold quickly, you have to respond quickly. If you wait longer than 12 hours after catching the cold, it has already spread to the point where it will last for days. You have to strengthen your immune system.
Take a cough suppressant. Only take a cough suppressant if you have a dry cough. Cough suppressants are, for example, dextromethorphan and codeine. Side effects of this can include drowsiness and constipation. Dextromethorphan comes in the form of tablets and syrup, and may also have an expectorant added. If you have a stuck cough and are coughing up a lot of mucus, don't take a cough suppressant, as you could get pneumonia. Then ask for an expectorant from the pharmacist.
Take a decongestant. Nasal congestion remedies - in the form of a nasal spray or as pills - shrink the blood vessels in the nasal mucous membranes, opening your nasal passages. Anti-allergy agents such as cetirizine can help with this.
- You can also use a nasal spray decongestant. You only need to spray once or twice into each nostril and you will feel relief immediately. Nasal sprays contain, for example, xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. Use it as instructed in the package insert. If you use it for a long time or if you take it more than 3-5 times a day, it will make your nose more congested.
- Side effects of decongestants include insomnia, dizziness and increased blood pressure. Do not use oral decongestants if you have heart problems or high blood pressure. Only use a nasal spray on doctor's advice if you have diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or problems with your prostate.
Take an expectorant. These medications can be bought over the counter at the drugstore or pharmacy and they clear the cavities by thinning and loosening mucus. After that you can breathe more easily which will make you feel better.
- Expectorants are available without a prescription at the drugstore or pharmacy. You take them as a drink, pills or powder. Examples of expectorants are Bisolvon, Darolan or bromhexine.
- Be aware that expectorants, like all medications, can have side effects. The most common side effects with these agents are nausea, drowsiness and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking them.
Take more vitamin C. Vitamin C has long been known as a cold-fighting agent, but did you know it can also shorten the duration of a cold?
- Increase your intake by drinking fresh orange juice and by eating fruits such as strawberries, kiwis and green leafy vegetables.
- You can also take a supplement. You can find vitamin C pills at any drug store or health food store. The recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women.
Go to the doctor. Your body can usually fight a cold on its own, but a doctor can prescribe medication to relieve symptoms. Don't ask for antibiotics, though, because they won't cure your cold.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Ear pain / hearing loss
- Fever above 39.5ºC
- Fever above 38ºC for more than 3 days
- Difficulty breathing / wheezing
- Bloody mucus
- Symptoms that last longer than 7 to 10 days
- A sore throat with a fever, but no cough or runny nose. This could be a strep throat, which should be treated immediately with antibiotics to avoid complications with the heart.
- Cough with a fever, but no runny nose and no sore throat. These could be signs of pneumonia and should also be treated with antibiotics.

Method 2 of 4: Clear your cavities

Blow your nose properly. It makes sense to want to blow your nose when it's blocked, but you have to be careful not to get it wrong. You can indeed clear your nasal passages of mucus by blowing them, but blowing too hard or too often will backfire.
- In fact, some experts believe that blowing the nose can create too much pressure, which can cause trapped mucus to damage your nasal passages. You can avoid this by blowing your nose only when absolutely necessary and by blowing properly.
- The correct way to blow your nose is to press one nostril closed with your finger and then gently blow through the other nostril. You repeat the same process on the other side. After you blow, make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap so you don't spread the virus.
- Prevent your nose from getting irritated by blowing your nose by using soft cotton tissues and smearing a little petroleum jelly under your nose to moisturize and keep your nostrils soft.
Try a nasal cannister to clear your nasal passages. You can fill each bottle or can with a thin spout with a saline solution to thin and flush out the mucus in your nasal passages.
- Make your own saline solution by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt in 250 ml of water.
- Fill the container with the saline solution. Then tilt your head (above the counter) to the side, put the nozzle in your top nostril and pour in the water. The saline solution will now flow into one nostril and come out through the other nostril. When the water has drained out, gently blow your nose and repeat on the other side.
Use steam. Steam can work very well to clear the cavities. The heat of the steam loosens the mucus and the moisture moisturizes dry nasal passages. You can use steam in the following ways:
- Give yourself a steam bath by boiling a pot of water. Pour the water into a bowl and hang with your face over it. Cover your head with a towel so that the steam lingers. Add a few drops of an essential oil that clears the airways (such as tea tree or peppermint) to make it work even better.
Take a hot shower. Yes, even if you feel bad, take a shower daily as it will help you recover from your cold faster. Set the water as hot as you can tolerate to create as much steam as possible. If you feel dizzy or faint from the heat, bring a plastic stool with you in the shower.
- A hot, steaming bath can also work wonders when you have a cold - not just for a stuffy nose, but also for relaxation and warmth. Again, make the water as hot as you can tolerate. If you want to wash your hair as well (that goes for showering too), don't forget to blow-dry your hair when you're done, because wet hair will lose body heat and that's not good if you have a cold.
Drink warm drinks. There is nothing better than a hot drink when you have a cold. But in addition to being tasty, it can also help clear your cavities and soothe a sore throat, making it the perfect cold remedy.
- Herbal tea such as chamomile or peppermint is a good choice as it softens and moisturizes. Regular tea and coffee can give you a boost, but they don't hydrate your body.
- A really traditional cold drink is warm water with lemon and honey. The warm water helps against a stuffy nose. The lemon is good for your immune system and the honey soothes a sore throat. Simply put a slice of lemon in a cup of warm water and add honey to taste.
- Chicken soup has long been a remedy given to patients for colds, and not just because it is tasty and easy to eat. Chicken soup has even been scientifically shown to reduce the production of certain white blood cells that cause cold symptoms.

Method 3 of 4: Give your body a rest

Take a few days off. If you keep going with your normal routine, you can be sure that the cold will last for days or even weeks longer, as your body will not have time to recover. The best way to get over a cold quickly is to take a few days off, snuggle under the covers, and give your body a rest.
- Even if you'd rather not take time off from work, think about your colleagues - they'd rather you not spread your germs in the office! You do them a favor by staying at home.
- In addition, a cold is a virus that attacks and weakens your immune system, making you more likely to pick up other illnesses, or making your cold worse. That's why it's safest to stay at home, at least until you feel better.
Take enough rest. Try to remind yourself that your body has to work hard to fight the virus and that it needs all the energy to recover. If you wear yourself out with chores, sports, traveling back and forth, or other physical activities, the cold will only last longer and you will feel worse and worse. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night and take frequent naps during the day.
- Even if you can't sleep, snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a warm drink. Use this time to repeat all of the repetitions without feeling guilty Friends or watch the complete series of Harry Potter films.
- Put an extra pillow under your head when you go to sleep. It may feel a bit strange, but raising your head a little higher will help reduce nasal congestion. If it is really not comfortable, put an extra pillow under the fitted sheet or under the mattress, then the angle is less sharp.
Make sure to stay warm. Even though cold weather won't catch you cold and you can't really "catch the cold" (it's because of the cold virus that makes you sick), staying warm will help you recover faster. So turn up the heat, fire up the fireplace and crawl under a pile of blankets - you'll soon feel better.
- Despite the benefits of heat, dry heat can irritate the inflamed airways or a sore throat. You can counteract this by placing a humidifier in the room to make the air a bit more humid. This can help you breathe more easily.
- Please note that humidifiers can also spread germs and fungi through the air.
Drink enough. Keep blowing your nose and sweating under all those blankets can make you dehydrated, which can worsen your cold symptoms, give you a headache, and make your throat feel dry and irritated.
- Try to drink a little more than usual - be it hot tea, soup, water-rich fruit (watermelon, tomato, cucumber, pineapple) or plain water.
- A helpful way to check that you are well hydrated is to look at your urine. If it is pale yellow or almost translucent then it is ok. But if it is dark yellow, it means there is a higher concentration of waste in your urine that has not been properly diluted - that means you need to drink more water.

Method 4 of 4: Relieve other symptoms

Take a pain reliever or fever reducer. If you have pain or fever, you can take acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Don't take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever if you have heartburn or an ulcer. If you are already taking painkillers for other ailments, talk to your doctor before taking any more. Do not exceed the recommended dose stated on the package. Taking too many painkillers is harmful to the liver. You don't want to get an even worse condition when you're trying to fight a cold.
Gargle with salt water to soothe your sore throat. A stuffy nose isn't the only bothersome symptom when you have a cold - a dry, stinging, or sore throat can be just as annoying. An easy, natural way to soothe your throat is to gargle with salt water. The water moisturizes the throat, while the antiseptic properties of the salt fight infection. Make a solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If you think that tastes too bad, you can add a little bit of baking soda, it will be less sharp. Gargle with this solution four times a day. Don't swallow it.
Take elderberry syrup. Elderberries are very good for the immune system, so this is a very popular remedy for colds. Elderberries contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage. However, very little research has been done in humans yet, so scientists don't know exactly how effective it is. You can use elderberries in several ways:
- By taking a spoonful of elderberry syrup every morning. You can find this syrup at most health food stores.
- By putting a few drops of elderberry extract (also available at health food stores) in a glass of water or juice.
- Or by drinking elderberry tea - a hot drink made of elderflower and peppermint leaves.
Eat a spoonful of raw honey. Raw honey is an effective boost to your immune system and it also contains antiviral compounds. In addition, it soothes the sore throat, making it a very popular natural remedy for a cold.
- You can eat raw honey as it is, or you can dissolve it in warm water or tea. Another great cold remedy is a glass of milk with a spoonful of turmeric and some honey. Try to buy local honey as it will give your body resistance to pollen allergies in your own environment.
Eat garlic. Garlic has an impressive number of health benefits, thanks to its antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties. There is evidence showing that raw garlic can help with cold symptoms, shorten the duration of the cold, and strengthen the immune system, which can help prevent the common cold in the future.
- You can take a garlic supplement, but for best results, eat it raw. Crush a clove of garlic and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. This allows the active ingredient allicin to develop - a powerful antibacterial compound that makes garlic so healthy.
- You can eat the garlic straight (if you have a strong stomach) or you can mix it with some honey or olive oil and spread it on toast.
Take natural supplements. There are certain natural supplements that seem to work against the symptoms of the common cold. Although they won't really catch the cold to cure or stop, it will sooner pass. For instance:
- Echinacea is an herbal supplement that has antiviral properties, which makes it a contribution to the treatment of respiratory infections. You can take it as tablets or drops, and it will shorten the duration of the cold if you take it as soon as you start to feel the first symptoms.
- Zinc is another natural substance that has been scientifically shown to shorten the duration of a cold by preventing the virus from reproducing. You can take it as a tablet, lozenge or as a drink.
- Ginseng is an ancient remedy that has been proven to reduce the duration of the common cold when you take it, and it strengthens the immune system. You can take it as a supplement, or you can boil the root in water to make a tea.