What do you take when you feel a cold coming on?

[minniecarousel]

We leave for WDW on Saturday & I'm feeling the beginnings of a cold. The thought of getting on an airplane with stuffed up ears worries me. I'm not coughing, no sore throat (yet) & I know it's not the flu. I've started with Mucinex at night and an immunity boost with 1500 mg of Vitamin C. I would like to know what you use to ward off a cold. I think I've been successful before, but I wasn't under so much stress when fighting off a cold.

HELP!

 

[OK!]

Echinacea, and lots of it. Not that I'm advocating this , but on the few occasions I've desperately needed to stave off a cold, I've taken more than the normal recommended dose along with TONS of water and the cold has been gone in 2 days, tops.

 

[~disneydiva~]

People I work with swear by Zicam.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

When I feel a cold coming on I make sure I'm taking my multi vitamin every day, I take 1,0000 mg of Vitamin C every 3-4 hours (you lose a lot of Vitamin C when you pee), I drink a big glass of O.J. in the morning and I take a cold & flu medicine before I go to bed (the syrup kind, there's one that I think Vick's make that tastes DISGUSTING [it's goldish colored liquid] but it works!). I also wash my hand frequently and wash my sheets/pillowcases (or change them) when I feel a cold coming on. I haven't been "sick" in years.

I was reading in a magazine that you should dip a Q-Tip in hydrogen peroxide and wipe it in the inside openings of your nostrils but I think that's more for not getting a cold rather then when you already have it.

I hope you're nice and healthy again by Saturday and that no one else gets sick! Plane rides are horrible when you don't feel good (nevermind the lines to check in, going through security, etc.).

 

[java]

Zinc. Sounds simple but I read about it here on the dis and I've used it several times since and it's worked like a charm. And get plenty of sleep!

 

[Rora]

People I work with swear by Zicam.

I am a HUGE fan of Zicam!!!

OP- take vitamins, wash your hands a lot, take some zicam and REST!

Hope you feel better for your trip!

 

[Meriweather]

Another Zicam fan here. Start taking it as soon as you can.
I also add more Vitamin C....but I do that anyway all winter.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

First - go change your sheets. Keep new sheets every day until you leave. Wash the sheets in HOT water.

You are shedding virus. By sleeping on the same sheets you are giving yourself more of the virus. Thereby increasing the load/amount of virus you body is trying to fight off. The less virus the better.

Taking showers often helps too, but I understand if that is just too hard.

You want to boost your immune system right now. Echinacea, Elderberry [Sambucus/Sambucol - can be found at CVS/Walgreens], Zinc, Zicam, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3. You can take your pick. They all help in some way. Unfortunately, I'm not your doctor and cannot advice you which would be best for you.

You also need plenty of rest and liquids. You body is fighting even if you don't feel super bad yet.

Good luck!!

 

[maslex]

The minute I first start feeling yucky (stuffy or achy or whatever) I take a dose of nyquil. (Or dayquil if it's in the morning) By the end of the day I"m fine and that feeling is gone. I will take another dose either later in the day when I go to bed or the next morning to be sure. Works like a charm each and every time. Hope you feel better before your trip.

 

[JessicaR]

The first indication of a cold symptom I take a really hot bath, or shower. I also take a shot of Whiskey. It may have nothing to do with it but I've been doing that for years and many times the cold never progresses. Likely I just have a good immune system.

 

[4nana]

Our family swears by nasal Zicam, Echinacea w/Goldenseal capsules and vit C, plus regular vits . If throat is scratchy, also Zicam w/C rapid melts to suck on. DH adds a Saline nasal mist when he feels like a cold is coming on. Last year we had 17 family members at our grand gathering at WDW for TG, thankfully not one of us got sick the whole week . I also get my flu shot annually. I'm rarely sick or have a cold past few years, knock on wood . I do before and after day care and am exposed to many bugs. Soon as I feel anything coming on, I rush to these! Also, our hand sanitizer is a must and staying well hydrated! One can never be too careful,
as 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'! Good luck and have a magical time!!

 

[Disney Darling]

Get some Airborne!! I start taking this at the first sign of a cold (just happened last Tuesday) and it either knocks it right out or signifigantly reduces the duration! I woke up last Tuesday with a sore throat and congestion and immediately started taking Airborne. Tuesday I progressed with a low grade fever and achey, sneezing, sore throat and continued nasal congestion but I also kept taking the Airborne every 3-4 hours as directed. By Wednesday I felt markedly better and by Thanksgiving Thursday, I only had a small amount of nasal congestion. By Friday, I was completely feeling better.

But, as a side note, whenever I'm traveling to Disney I always take Airborne.

http://www.airbornehealth.com/

 

[MIGrandma]

Zinc. Sounds simple but I read about it here on the dis and I've used it several times since and it's worked like a charm. And get plenty of sleep!

This is what I use too. 9 times out of 10 if I feel a cold coming on (mine usually start with a scratchy throat) I immediate start sucking on the zinc lozenges. One every 2-3 hours during the day, for usually a couple of days, and the symptoms go away.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Cold Eeze lozenges! They work better than Zicam did for us!

http://www.coldeeze.com/

 

[puffkin]

The girls at work swear by Airbourne. I have a freakishly good immune system and never get sick/colds so I can't give a first hand opinion.

 

[HeatherC]

Bump up your vitamin D intake. There have been a lot of studies that this vitamin has more impact on our immune systems than vitamin c. I started taking it in Sept. and have not had a cold yet.

 

[hichewlova]

Thanks for the vitamin D tip. I try to drink as many hot fluids as possible...and this sounds weird but if you can clean out your nose with a q-tip that you dipped in salt water - that can kill off any germs. From what I know the germs settle in for a few days before symptoms starts so if you can keep your throat and nostrils clear - you can fend off a lot.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

The Vitamin D3 does have the best results. Unfortunately it takes awhile for it to build up to the levels you need. The starting in September for now was good. We also start our increase at the end of August and then decrease it some in June because we do try to get it from the sun as much as possible.

 

[blanq]

I am a HUGE fan of Zicam!!!

OP- take vitamins, wash your hands a lot, take some zicam and REST!

Hope you feel better for your trip!

ITA. I am a huge fan of Zicam. I take it immediately, when I get the first symptoms of a cold coming on, and I take it faithfully as recommended. I have not had a full blown cold in the last 3 years as a result.

 

[kinntj]

Zicam and Airborne!!!