what is the treatment of the cold

What is the best cold treatment?

Apr 01, 2022 · Treating Your Cold Treating your symptoms will not make your cold go away, but will help you feel better. Antibiotics are almost never needed to treat a common cold. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever and relieve muscle aches. Do not use aspirin. Check the label for the proper dose.

What is the best cure for a cold?

Treatments with proven effectiveness for cold symptoms in adults include over-the-counter analgesics, zinc, nasal decongestants with or without antihistamines, and ipratropium for cough. Lower-quality evidence suggests that Lactobacillus casei may be beneficial in older adults.

What is better for treating cold?

Sep 01, 2019 · Treatments with proven effectiveness for cold symptoms in adults include over-the-counter analgesics, zinc, nasal decon- gestants with or without antihistamines, and ipratropium for cough....

What is the best treatment for the common cold?

Apr 22, 2021 · Lots of rest is the key treating a cold. You may find you need 12 hours of sleep each night, so don't set that alarm. You'll be most comfortable in a warm, humid environment. It's also important to...

Which treatment is best for cold?

Cold remedies that workStay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ... Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.Soothe a sore throat. ... Combat stuffiness. ... Relieve pain. ... Sip warm liquids. ... Try honey. ... Add moisture to the air.More items...

How can you tell a cold from Covid?

Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses....Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold?Symptom or signCOVID-19ColdTirednessUsuallySometimesSneezingRarelySometimesSore throatUsuallyUsuallyRunny or stuffy noseUsuallyUsually6 more rows

How do you get rid of a cold overnight?

While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air.Sep 14, 2021

What are the 5 stages of cold?

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery....Common Cold Symptoms and DurationSore throat.Runny nose.Stuffy nose.Coughing.Sneezing.Headaches.Body aches.Post-nasal drip.More items...•Aug 25, 2021

How long do cold symptoms last?

The main symptoms include sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, discomfort, sneezing, fever (more common in children), headaches, clear, watery discharge from your nose (mucus), and body aches. Symptoms level off and fade: Cold symptoms usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 days.Dec 14, 2021

Can I get a Covid booster if I have a cold?

What if you have mild cold or flu-like symptoms (stuffy nose, headache) and test negative for COVID-19? You can still get boosted, according to the CDC. But be sure to wear a mask to the vaccine site in order to protect yourself and others.Feb 27, 2022

What foods help get rid of colds?

The 15 Best Foods to Eat When You're SickChicken soup. Chicken soup has been a go-to for sickness for generations — and for good reason. ... Broths. Like chicken soup, broths are excellent sources of fluid and electrolytes that can be helpful when you're sick. ... Garlic. ... Coconut water. ... Hot tea. ... Honey. ... Ginger. ... Spicy foods.More items...

Does vitamin C help with a cold?

Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity. A 2013 review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold but was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms.

How do I stop a runny nose fast?

10 home remedies for helping to ease a runny noseDrink plenty of fluids. Drinking fluids and staying hydrated when dealing with a runny nose can be helpful if you also have symptoms of nasal congestion. ... Hot teas. ... Humidifier. ... Facial steam. ... Hot shower. ... Neti pot. ... Nasal spray. ... Warm compress.More items...

How do you sleep with a cold?

How to sleep with a cold: The do's & don'tsAdjust your sleep schedule and give your body as much rest as it needs.Take nighttime cold/flu medicine to help alleviate coughing and other cold and flu symptoms.Consider using a humidifier or nasal decongestant—they could help you breathe more freely as you sleep.

Is sneezing good when you have a cold?

We all know that sneezing spreads cold viruses. But it turns out that sneezes actually do some good — for the sneezer. David Makiri sneezes into a tissue.Feb 7, 2011

How do I prevent a cold?

You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold:Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. ... Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. ... Stay away from people who are sick.

What are some ways to get rid of a cold?

But there are pros and cons to commonly used cold remedies, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, nasal sprays and cough syrups. Don't give OTC cold medications to children.

How to get rid of a cold after taking meds?

This will give you a chance to rest and heal, as well as reduce the chances that you'll spread your cold to others. Adjust your room's temperature and humidity.

How long does echinacea stay good for?

Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many drugs.

How long does zinc syrup last?

Some studies show that zinc lozenges or syrup reduce the length of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold. Zinc also has potentially harmful side effects. Intranasal zinc might cause permanent damage to the sense of smell.

How long does it take for a cold to go away?

There's no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment, usually within a week to 10 days. But a cough may linger for a few more days. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself while your body heals. For example, drink plenty of liquids, humidify the air, use saline nasal rinses and get adequate rest.

How to make yourself comfortable when you have a cold?

To make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cold, try some of these suggestions: Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are good choices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. Sip warm liquids.

What to do if your child has a cold?

If you or your child has a cold and symptoms persist or worsen or are severe, make an appointment with your primary care provider or your child's pediatrician. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What are some ways to get rid of a cold?

The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. Some of the more common ones that don't work include: 1 Antibiotics. These attack bacteria, but they're no help against cold viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics you have on hand. You won't get well any faster, and inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 2 Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in young children. OTC cold and cough medications may cause serious and even life-threatening side effects in children. Talk with your child's doctor before giving any medications.

How to make yourself miserable with colds?

It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently.

How long does echinacea stay good for?

Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many drugs.

How to heal a sore throat from a swollen throat?

Rest. Your body needs rest to heal. Soothe a sore throat. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.

How long do you stay sick after catching a cold?

If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. That doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies might help you feel better:

How to get rid of coughing in older adults?

Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea. Add moisture to the air. A cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How to help a coughing child?

Sip warm liquids. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. Try honey. Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea.

How to help cold symptoms?

To ease cold symptoms, the essential oils of aromatherapy may be rubbed on the body, inhaled with steam, diffused into the air, or poured on a cloth to be used as a compress.

How to recover from a cold?

Good nutrition is essential for resisting and recovering from a cold. Eat a balanced diet. Take supplements as needed to ensure you are receiving the recommended dietary allowances for vitamin A , the vitamin B complex (vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, folic acid ), and vitamin C , as well as the minerals zinc and copper.

How to get rid of stuffy nose?

Try rubbing diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest as a decongestant, or inhale eucalyptus or peppermint oil to clear stuffiness. Adding lavender, cedar, or lemon to steam may also soothe nasal passages. Inhaling menthol not only provides relief from nasal congestion, but might help inhibit infection as well.

How much sleep do you need to get rid of a cold?

Lots of rest is the key treating a cold. You may find you need 12 hours of sleep each night, so don't set that alarm. You'll be most comfortable in a warm, humid environment. It's also important to stay hydrated by ...

Can you give a child over the counter cough medicine?

The FDA and manufacturers now say that over-the-counter cough and cold drugs should not be given to children under age 4.

Can you use echinacea for colds?

Several studies show adults using echinacea at the first sign of a cold suffered shorter and less severe illness. Because herbs are so poorly regulated and labeled in the U.S., however, it's difficult to know if the product you're using contains the right species and active ingredient.

Does zinc help with colds?

Avoid zinc nasal spray as it may lead to permanent loss of smell. After much research, vitamin C is believed to have a small effect in preventing colds, and no benefit in treating a cold.

What are the three types of cough medicine?

Cough Medicine and Cough Syrups Three types of medicines can ease a cough caused by a cold or bronchitis: suppressants, expectorants, and topicals (ointments you apply to your skin).

Is it safe to take antibiotics for a virus?

Cold Medicines for Kids There’s little evidence that children’s cold and cough medicines are effective, and some over-the-counter drugs may even be dangerous for kids. Here's what parents should know .

Can you buy decongestant without a prescription?

Decongestants and antihistamines can help. They come in different forms, and they're often mixed into combination drugs that you can buy without a prescription. Nasal Sprays When you're stuffed up from a cold, you can get fast relief from a nasal spray.

What is the best way to cure a cold?

Many cultures have a home remedy for the cold using garlic, whether it’s chicken soup with lots of garlic, a drink made with raw crushed garlic, or if it just involves eating raw garlic. The cold-fighting compound in garlic is thought to be allicin, which has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties.

How long does zinc help with colds?

A number of studies have found that zinc helped to reduce the duration of cold symptoms, especially if people started taking it within 24 hours after cold symptoms appear. 1  Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms and decreased the duration of symptoms by three to four days.

How long does it take for a cold to show up?

Symptoms of the common cold, which usually appear one to three days after being exposed to a cold virus include a runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, mild fatigue, body aches, and fever less than 102 degrees. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin.

Does zinc help with cold virus?

The problem is that many of these zinc studies have had flaws, so better-quality studies are needed. Zinc lozenges may work by blocking the cold virus from replicating (preventing it from spreading) or by impairing the ability of the cold virus to enter cells in the nose and throat.

Does garlic help with colds?

People who took garlic reduced the risk of catching a cold by more than half. The study also found that garlic reduced the recovery time in people who caught a cold. More research is needed to corroborate these results. Garlic does have some possible side effects and safety concerns.

Can alternative medicine be used for colds?

Keep in mind that scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat colds is lacking and that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. If you're considering the use of any remedy for a cold, make sure to consult your physician first.

Does cold fx reduce the flu?

There was no statistically significant difference in the number of people who contracted the flu and no difference in the severity or duration of the flu. The researchers analyzed the results of the two studies together and only then did the results show that Cold-fX reduced the incidence of the flu.

What is the best medicine for cold and flu?

To ease the discomfort from specific cold and flu symptoms, consider using the following types of OTC medicines: To reduce fever and pain — analgesics: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is generally preferred. Ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®) is also commonly used.

What is the common cold?

What are colds and the flu? The common cold and the flu (influenza) are infections of the upper respiratory system - the nose, mouth, throat and lungs. The infections are caused by viruses. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Colds or flu that worsen can lead to: 1 Pneumonia. 2 Bronchitis. 3 Sinus infections. 4 Ear infection. 5 Worsening of existing health problems such as asthma and congestive heart failure.

How do you get the cold and flu?

Cold and flu viruses are spread by touching your nose or mouth after touching an infected person, breathing in the air of an infected person's sneeze or cough, or touching objects that have come in contact with the virus and then touching your nose.

What is the purpose of antibiotics?

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat and ear, skin and urinary tract infections. Using antibiotics for infections they are not able to treat makes the antibiotics less effective for infections they are supposed to treat (a situation called antibiotic resistance).

What to do for a stuffy nose?

To relieve a stuffy, clogged nose — decongestants: Try an oral decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®). However, insomnia, nervousness and irritability can occur when taking these drugs. Those who are pregnant or have uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid pseudoephedrine products.

How to relieve sore throat?

To relieve a sore throat: Try throat lozenges (such as Cepacol®) or gargle with warm salt water a few times a day. Analgesics are also helpful. For other symptoms: OTC cold products (for example, Nyquil® or Tylenol Cold & Sinus®) can provide much relief.

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