How can I stop a cold in its tracks?

The thing that has always helped me is to get as much sleep/rest as possible

@anniereborn That’s the problem. I have no time to rest. I can’t afford to miss any classes.

And I’m supposed to be going out for gay pride this weekend. Hopefully I won’t be too sick, because I already promised my sister I’d go to the festival and out with them that night.

I’m not sure if I should be concerned about having two colds in such a short period of time.

I know that studies have not found it to be efficacious, but I take ecchinacea, which not only shortens my cold, but cuts down on mucus and sneezing and post-nasal drip. It works for me.

I take it two capsules about four to six times a day for the first couple of days then taper off as I get better. Do not stop taking it if your symptoms decrease at first or they will come back.

@marinelife This might be a stupid question, but where would I get that? Is it usually with all the vitamins/probiotics?

Nyquil=sleep, lots of hot tea, a thick robe to sweat out impurities. I always feel better quick with those. It is high allergy season here, so do you think it may be those?

Drink lots of (non-sugary) fluids, and get lots of sleep.

If it really is a cold, there’s nothing you can do to pull the plug on it. It will have to run its course. All you can do is treat the symptoms.

It’s quite possible to catch one cold on the heels of another. There are many, many different cold viruses, and developing antibodies against one doesn’t immunize you against another variant.

I read something very interesting about some fairly recent cold research: unlike many other disease causing viruses, cold viruses don’t actually cause damage to the tissues they infect. All of the symptoms of colds are caused by the body’s own immune system. That means that having a stronger immune system will actually create stronger cold symptoms, not weaker ones. “Fighting off” a cold is the wrong metaphor. It also means that a good way to diminish symptoms is to use meds that tone down the body’s inflammation response, like antihistamines.

You can’t. There is an old saying, you can treat a cold or do nothing, and in seven days you will feel better. A doctor taught me that.

Having said that, plenty of sleep and eating healthy can only help, maybe you will shorten the duration a day or two if you are very lucky, but it’s doubtful Lack of sleep can turn it into something worse or more drawn out, but not very likely.

The best thing is prevention, I am sure you know that. For me the way I avoid colds is watching my iron level (this in my subjective opinion is one of the most important things for me to staying healthy) suffucient sleep, and don’t touch your face. I rarely get sick. Very rarely get colds or flu or similar type illnesses. I used to get sick more when I worked long hours, was exhausted, and more anemic.

That discomfort in your throat will dissappear within 48 hours, you will have a lull, and then within 12 hours the congestion will start. That’s my prediction anyway. I hope I am wrong, I like when I am wrong about these things. Hopefully, you get better before it gets worse.

Take a decongestant antihistimine when the congestion starts and 3 advil, you will feel good enough to be out for a few hours. Hopefully you won’t infect everyone else. LOL. Seriously, in a couple days you won’t be very contagious anymore, right now you are. Sleep separately from your hubby.

This may be my own fantasy, but I claim to outrun three out of four colds. The fourth one catches me. Because colds can easily turn into something serious for me, I do my best to head them off or shake them before they get into my chest.

When I feel one coming on, I start with the vitamin C (500 to 100 mg) and lots of liquids, mostly water and herb tea, and extra rest. Honestly, I do believe they pass by quickly and with mild symptoms most of the time, even when they’re worse for others around me. But I haven’t documented this, so it could be wishful thinking.

However, I can say emphatically that I get very few full-blown colds, sometimes more than a year apart, despite a good amount of exposure. So whatever I’m doing seems to be working.

” What are the best things I can get over the counter to prevent or shorten this cold ”

Nothing.

Ameliorate the symptoms in the standard way and stop trying to waste your money on bunk.

What are you taking at university that you would not know that colds can be ameliorated by symptoms but not shortened or stopped?

Yes, really, by the time you are symptomatic the virus already has you. You may be able to lessen the severity of the symptoms with many of the above suggestions, but the virus itself has already taken hold and it is not possible to completely eradicate it.

@Neodarwinian Southern girls don’t back down in most cases. :)

Honestly, I haven’t had a bad cold in probably five years and I do the doses I stated above every time I even start to sniffle. If it gets any worse, I down Orange Juice like there’s no tomorrow with the hot tea, it really does work, for me at least.

I once stopped a cold with sushi and sake…

You can’t stop it, you can only treat the symptoms. But cheer up. You will be immune to this particular virus forever after it’s over!

@livelaughlove21 At any drugstore and most grocery stores near the vitamins.

Colds arrive gradually and with plenty of warning. You can’t use this lead-time to prevent the cold; the virus has already infected your body, and it’s too late to hit the brakes on that train.

You can use the time to accept the fact that you’re about to get sick and prepare for what’s to come. You could use many of the suggestions in this thread to alleviate symptoms. You can get more sleep and eat well, now, so that your body will have better defenses and heal more quickly. You might try to take care of all the necessary items on your to-do list (whether that list is mental or actually written) to plan for rest with fewer worries.

Feel better!

I’m another vitamin C advocate, but you have to start the dosage as soon as possible after exposure to the virus. I do this if there is wet sounding coughing around me. I ask if it’s a cold or allergy if someone close to me seems like they might have a cold. Then, ASAP, take 1000mg of vitamins C followed by 500 mg twice a day for 3 days (the incubation period for a cold). Drink lots of water. Haven’t had a cold in years. When I have to fly somewhere, I do this too, since viruses spread through the air systems. My husband got a cold every time he flew until he used my system and then the post plane travel colds stopped.

Germs don’t mess with me. I scare them.

There is no sure way to combat the negative effects of your illness, and everyone’s bodies are different. The only advice I can give you (not being a medical professional) is from my own experience. Alka Seltzer really seemed to knock the worst effects of my cold out of me when I needed to be on top of my game, or when I couldn’t miss work. Just be aware of the medicines which are made for activity vs sleep.

I take an over-the-counter generic decongestant, and drink bucketloads of hot lemon and ginger tea with honey to sweeten it. Added whisky or rum at night to help me sleep.