Everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold—runny nose, sneezing and scratchy throat with symptoms lasting one to two weeks. It is caused by infectious viruses and spread by inhaling the infected mucus from the air or by touching items like the phone, stair rail and then touching your eyes or nose. Hand washing helps prevent the spread of the virus but what else can you do?

What to do

Once you feel the first symptom, go on the attack early

• Resting helps you fight off a cold.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep the mucus linings hydrated. Limit caffeine and alcohol as they are dehydrating.
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen can relieve headache and fever
• Nasal decongestants can help the blocked or runny nose. Nasal sprays can only be used short term up to five days as rebound congestion can occur.
• Cough mixtures are not recommended so much these days as some have side effects. Lemon and honey drinks may soothe a dry irritating cough.
• Steam inhalations are wonderful for blocked noses and sinus pain. Be careful not to burn yourself or you will quickly forget about your cold. Try sleeping propped up a little to aid drainage of mucus.
• If you develop laryngitis, stop talking! Even whispering puts a lot of strain on the vocal cords. Add a few drops of Friar’s balsam to steaming water as an inhalation.
• Gargling warm salty water is excellent for a sore throat – ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water works well.
• Keep the air environment at home moist. If you use a humidifier make sure you clean it regularly. Avoid cigarette smoke
• Echinacea might help at the very early stages but scientific evidence is inconclusive
• Zinc too has been proposed as helpful but again has not been proven
• Vitamin C in large doses will not prevent a cold
• Chicken soup it seems is beneficial! Canned or homemade, both work
• Watch for complications like middle ear infections, sinusitis and of course your asthma may be triggered by the cold.