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Mar 28, 2024 · Immune-boosting foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants may help to improve your cold and flu symptoms. By Vanessa Caceres. |. Medically reviewed by Michael Tehrani, MD. |. March 28, 2024, at...
Dec 20, 2023 · Avoiding close contact with people who have a cold or cold symptoms. Covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, ideally with a tissue or the crook of your elbow. Avoiding touching ...
- Ginger. This herbal remedy contains several compounds that give it its anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities. Ginger is widely thought to be one of the healthiest spices due to its health benefits.It may not only help to reduce cold symptoms, but also can help to aid digestion and calm nausea.
- Hot tea. A cup of hot tea can provide much-needed relief from the discomfort of a cold. Herbal teas can soothe a sore throat and help alleviate congestion.
- Garlic. Garlic is often thought of as a superfood. Garlic can help with colds due to its potential antiviral properties. This is likely due to the allicin it contains.
- Oatmeal. While oatmeal might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of cold remedies, this breakfast staple may actually be helpful. It’s rich in beta-glucan, which stimulates the immune system.
- Overview
- What are the symptoms that indicate your cold is almost over?
- What are the stages of most colds, and how long does each stage last?
- What can you do to ease symptoms of a common cold?
- Takeaway
A cold typically resolves after about a week, although congestion, cough, and runny nose can linger. Your cold may be improving if you have more energy and your symptoms are milder.
A cold is a mild viral infection that often lasts for about a week. Cold symptoms include:
•cough
•sore throat
•sneezing
•runny nose
Colds typically end after about a week. Many people find that symptoms start to ease on days 7–10 of their cold. On these days, you might notice your energy picking up, and it might seem easier to work, attend school, and do daily tasks.
You might still have some lingering symptoms. These can include:
•a runny nose
•congestion
•a cough
A runny nose and congestion can last up to 14 days, and it’s possible for a cough to last weeks. It’s common for nasal discharge in the final days of a cold to be yellow or green. This happens as a result of your immune system fighting the cold.
Stage 1
Stage 1 lasts for 1–2 days. Symptoms in this stage are typically mild, and the most common symptom people report is a sore throat. You can also experience: •fatigue •slight congestion •mild runny nose
Stage 2
Symptoms normally increase on days 3–5, also called stage 2. This is normally when you feel the sickest. In stage 2 of a cold, you often have the following symptoms: •congestion •runny nose •body aches •headache •sneezing •fatigue •cough
Stage 3
Symptoms start to get better after about a week. This is stage 3. In this stage, symptoms are mild and might resolve completely. The remaining symptoms in stage 3 typically include cough, congestion, and runny nose.
Typically, it’s best to recover from a cold at home with plenty of rest and some at-home remedies.
Steps you can take to help relieve your symptoms include:
•staying hydrated by increasing your fluid intake (drinking tea, juices, nonalcoholic beverages)
•sucking on throat lozenges to relieve throat pain and reduce coughing
•taking an over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medication to relieve your cough and fever
•using saline drops and sprays to relieve nasal congestion
A cold typically resolves in about a week. Around day 7, your symptoms will often start to fade. You might still have congestion, a stuffy nose, and a cough. These symptoms can last weeks longer than other cold symptoms.
As your symptoms fade, your energy levels should return to their usual levels. You’ll likely find it easier to do everyday activities.
You typically don’t need to see a doctor for a cold. At-home treatment with rest, OTC medications, and the use of heat and steam to soothe your throat or open your nasal passages can help relieve your symptoms.
If your symptoms last longer than a week, or if they get worse instead of better, it’s best to see a doctor.
- Echinacea. Echinacea has been used as a supplement for hundreds of years and across many cultures. It’s frequently used in the United States to stave off or lessen the symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
- Zinc. There’s pretty good evidence that zinc helps reduce the severity and duration of a cold. But you have to start taking zinc within 24 hours of first noticing any symptoms.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the most popular supplements in the world. It’s essential for everything from skin structure to immune function. There’s some evidence to suggest that it may shorten the time you have a cold, but not by very much.
- Hydration. You may have heard that you need to “drink plenty of fluids'' when fighting a cold. But surprisingly, there’s no scientific data to support that advice.
Sep 20, 2023 · 1. Vitamin C. Taking a vitamin C supplement isn’t likely to prevent a cold. However, studies show that it may reduce the duration of colds and make them less severe. The National Institutes of...
Feb 12, 2019 · Is There a ‘Best’ Tea to Treat Colds? Lemon tea. Elderberry tea. Echinacea tea. Green tea. Herbal tea with honey. Other home remedies. When to see a doctor. Takeaway. When you’re fighting a...
