How do you treat a cold? one with a sore throat too?

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• I hate sore throats. It's the onset of a cold for me.
• mouthwash, ice cream, hot soup..... the hot/cold and chemicals help to reduce inflammation
• see book doctor's appointment if no improvement after a few hours. If doctor gives me no medicine.... off to the pharmacy to get my own drugs.

 

[Micca]

I had this recently. Took me 2 weeks to get over it.

Me too, longest "cold" I've ever had, it started on Christmas day. I tried something that made me feel a little better for a while: Hot tea mixed with apple juice. It was really tasty and the warmth of the liquids help clear my head a bit. I was taking OTC stuff too like Mucinex D and Robitussin for cough. Good luck to everyone getting through this particular bug. It's not the worst thing ever, but certainly no fun to deal with.

 

[scrapquitler]

We usually take Sudafed capsules, tea, orange juice, and recently we bought Vitamin C tablets.

Today though DH said get Alka Seltzer cold tablets. That seemed to help a little With congestion.

For a sore throat I can only think of hot tea with honey.

In our family, sore throat or general flu like symptoms always means a hot toddy: tea, lemon, honey and whiskey. I also do Nyquilt at night and DayQuil when I need to be awake.

Personally, if I ever have a sore throat for more than 24 hours, I go to the doctor and have a throat culture done because it's almost always strep throat.

 

[Kitty 34]

Thanks everyone. I forgot about cough drops, have only 6 Halls left.

Love my Halls, especially the citrus flavored ones!!

Last year I tried Mucinex for the first time. Definitely takes care of congestion!! I have always been a fan of Sudafed, too.

Whatever you use, hopefully makes you and your DH feel better quickly.

 

[Minnesota!]

ginger ale, broth, and rest...

 

[nkereina]

Just got over a cold during Christmas. I used Afrin nasal spray which helped greatly with congestion. When congestion gets real bad, I use the Breathe Right strips as well. I also took Mucinex which was helpful for all my post nasal drip and subsequent cough. I also used Alka Seltzer plus Cold in the beginning but found it didn't work as well as the Mucinex.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My mom's sister told my mom that they use "oil of oregano". So my mom started using it and now my brother and BIL. They said it work pretty well. They did drink it. It was like a couple of drops in a drink once day for a couple of days or something like that.

 

[momz]

nothing cures a cold. Your body has to flush the virus out. This is accomplished through mucous which, being sticky, traps the germ and results in the germ being evacuated along with the mucous by blowing, coughing or swallowing it.

There are a handful of drugs that are used to relieve symptoms. These drugs are put in various combinations and marketed under different brand names. Here's the basic run down.

Guiafenesine is called an expectorant, basically it makes mucous thinner by increasing the fluid content.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and will decrease swelling in the nose and sinus tissues.
Phenylephrine does the same things as pseudo ephedrine but you don't have to sign for it.
Various antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl and others will make mucous thicker, basically the opposite of guaifenisine.
Nasal steroids such as nasanex and Flonase will decrease the inflammation in the nose.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are fever reducers and pain relievers.

There is no end to the money you can spend trying to treat a cold. But, no matter what you take, you will be better in the exact same amount of time as if you take nothing.

 

[bcla]

nothing cures a cold. Your body has to flush the virus out. This is accomplished through mucous which, being sticky, traps the germ and results in the germ being evacuated along with the mucous by blowing, coughing or swallowing it.

I think that's part of it, but what truly gets rid of viral colds is the immune system producing antibodies to kill that particular cold virus. That's what takes time. Once the body is rid of a particular cold virus, that's immunity to that particular virus for life. Only problem is that there are hundreds of different cold viruses as well as mutating ones.

 

[bcla]

I guess the decongestant nasal sprays may be the most effective (and fastest acting), but they can only be used short term. There's a nasty "bounce back" after a few days, where the body seems to just reject the effect and apparently may even be dangerous. Oral decongestants don't seem to have that problem. They don't quite shrink my sinuses as much, but at least I can breathe. The nasal sprays also sting.

I did find it odd that some of the nasal sprays contain phenylephrine. That's sold in oral form as a substitute for pseudoephedrine. I've tried phenylephrine but it never seemed to work well for me taken orally.

 

[dclpluto]

I tried to help you guys out posted how not to get sick but I posted it in the wrong room. Under disney cruise line meant for it to go here. Sorry

 

[Liberty Belle]

I treat them no differently (I think all my colds have included sore throats?).

My husband swears by Alka Seltzer cold tablets. I can't stomach it. I usually take a decongestant and tylenol. Sometimes will use a humidifier and of course will drink plenty of fluids.

 

[bcla]

I personally like the advice to treat the symptoms you have. The major combined meds have side effects. Often I'll have a runny nose without congestion. Maybe no sore throats or coughing. Often over edicating will make one feel more miserable than just livong with the symptoms.

Of course if you can, buy generic. There is so much markup with brand names.

 

[jt'smom]

Plain old saline nasal spray, and gargling with warm salt water works best for me. I hate cold meds since they make my ears ring, but I will take Advil if I feel achy. And if I'm really in a nostalgic mood, I'll lay on the sofa and watch old tv shows, and sip ginger ale through a straw. That always makes me think of childhood and my mom

 

[Snoozan]

As I am on about day 7 of this nasty virus cold, I have tried alot. Usually Zicam knocks my colds down, but did not touch this virus. I have taken Nyquil cough, tylenol/ibruprofen, sudafed, even that nasty Alka seltzer cold medicine. Nothing seems to be helping the hard cough, runny nose and drippy eyes along with lots of sneezing. I keep thinking I have turned the corner but then a new symptom adds to the previous ones. Forget sleeping with the cough so I am exhausted. Guess I have whined enough....

 

[mdb78]

A sore throat is the start of it for me so when I start to feel it I gargle warm salt water and I make my own honey lemon tea.

 

[ols386]

Me too, longest "cold" I've ever had, it started on Christmas day. I tried something that made me feel a little better for a while: Hot tea mixed with apple juice. It was really tasty and the warmth of the liquids help clear my head a bit. I was taking OTC stuff too like Mucinex D and Robitussin for cough. Good luck to everyone getting through this particular bug. It's not the worst thing ever, but certainly no fun to deal with.

Yes,it was a cold virus and seemed like it lasted forever.

 

[adisneyaunt]

At the first hint of a cold, coldEze. Lots of water all day, hot soup, added C and D3. Warm water/salt gargle, lots of Rest, Vicks and try not to be miserable... this too shall pass!

 

[ols386]

I guess the decongestant nasal sprays may be the most effective (and fastest acting), but they can only be used short term. There's a nasty "bounce back" after a few days, where the body seems to just reject the effect and apparently may even be dangerous. Oral decongestants don't seem to have that problem. They don't quite shrink my sinuses as much, but at least I can breathe. The nasal sprays also sting.

I did find it odd that some of the nasal sprays contain phenylephrine. That's sold in oral form as a substitute for pseudoephedrine. I've tried phenylephrine but it never seemed to work well for me taken orally.

Yes. Things like Afrin create something like an addiction where you just have to keep using it or you will be stopped up and can't breathe. That's why I just don't use it anymore.

 

[Disneychick75]

Mostly endurance and rest!!

We drink water, juices, herbal teas, gargle with warm salt water, sip cool water with added raw vinegar, and occasionally take a 'Cold-Eaze' lozenge.

All the 'cold/flu' high priced meds on the market don't seem to do much for us - just adds yuck to our system. I do take a Benadryl at night.



Never had a cold disappear overnight! We would all like that miracle potion!!

I start the Vit C immediately when I notice symptoms. We have a doctor friend whose dad is also a doctor. Dad doc was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and sent home to die. He began massive infusons of Vit C. Tumor disappeared. That was 35 years ago and he's still kicking. Convinced us and it does work. Try and see if it works for you before you .