What’s the Cure for the Common Cold?
October 8, 2023 9:29 AM Subscribe
I have a presentation in 9 days. It cannot and will not be moved. I will have three days of near nonstop talking. I would need to be on my deathbed to miss this event.
My cuddly plague rats (children) brought home a cold last week and now I have it. Post nasal drip, sore throat, and cough. What are your tips and tricks to get rid the cold fast?
Of course I am doing the obvious - tea, rest, pulled back on my workouts, soup, and hydration.
I’m looking for things like -“ syrup, lemon juice and cayenne instantly cure my cold and I swear by it and do it religiously when I’m sick!”
Or “hot showers three times a day will flush out the mucus in no time!”
Even “9 days is plenty of time for this to pass, just keep doing what you’re doing” will be welcomed encouragement.
Of course I am doing the obvious - tea, rest, pulled back on my workouts, soup, and hydration.
I’m looking for things like -“ syrup, lemon juice and cayenne instantly cure my cold and I swear by it and do it religiously when I’m sick!”
Or “hot showers three times a day will flush out the mucus in no time!”
Even “9 days is plenty of time for this to pass, just keep doing what you’re doing” will be welcomed encouragement.
9 days is enough for most colds to pass. The worst ones I've had did take longer to completely resolve, but certainly I could stand, concentrate and speak, at about 70-80% competence levels, by day 9 (lingering symptoms beyond that have been coughing, which is unpleasant but can be reduced with constant sipping of water; and snotty nose, which by day 9 can typically be controlled for a couple of hours at a time with Afrin.)
And again those were the worst ones. Typical ones take even less time.
Prioritize sleep, hydration and staying warm.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:33 AM on October 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
And again those were the worst ones. Typical ones take even less time.
Prioritize sleep, hydration and staying warm.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:33 AM on October 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
Best answer: 9 days is plenty of time! That said, if you can get a saline nasal spray that contains benzalkonium chloride, it seems to help shorten the duration of my colds.
posted by corey flood at 9:36 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by corey flood at 9:36 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Elderberry supplements lessen the severity and duration of cold symptoms. Here's a meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Here's a recent double-blind placebo controlled study.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:37 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Here's a recent double-blind placebo controlled study.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:37 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
If you’re prone to coughing, immediately run out and get a humidifier and sleep with it on. I used to get terrible hacking coughs that lasted for weeks until I figured that out (and I live in a humid state!). Now I only get the terrible coughs when I’ve been traveling and get the cold and can’t sleep with the humidifier.
posted by telophase at 9:47 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by telophase at 9:47 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
If you're at all prone to post-cold sinus infections, using Afrin (oxymetazoline) nose spray and/or Mucinex D (guaifenisin + pseudoephedrine) now to keep your sinuses open can reduce the likelihood of that. Similarly, if you're at all prone to post-cold bronchitis, Mucinex DM (guaifenisin + dextromethorphan) can control the cough now so that it doesn't advance to unstoppable cough.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:47 AM on October 8, 2023
posted by hydropsyche at 9:47 AM on October 8, 2023
(and of course if you have not already done so, take a COVID test, and if positive, seek Paxlovid if available in your location)
posted by hydropsyche at 9:48 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 9:48 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: and of course if you have not already done so, take a COVID test, and if positive, seek Paxlovid if available in your location)
Negative covid test - and Paxlovid was my savior when I had COVID last Thanksgiving
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:56 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Negative covid test - and Paxlovid was my savior when I had COVID last Thanksgiving
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:56 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Gargle a couple times a day with warm salt water to protect your throat from that drip. It will help during the days of the presentation as well.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:59 AM on October 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 9:59 AM on October 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
Best answer: Zinc supplements are considered by many to shorten the duration of a cold.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:01 AM on October 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:01 AM on October 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Zinc, zinc, zinc - and loads of water. Get hydrated, sleep a lot, eat a lot. And Zinc.
posted by Toddles at 10:03 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 10:03 AM on October 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
You should be over the cold by the time of the presentation, but I recommend you have a throat spray called songers saving grace on hand, that's a lot of talking!
posted by yohko at 10:12 AM on October 8, 2023
posted by yohko at 10:12 AM on October 8, 2023
My colds this time of year tend to turn to bronchitis really easily, so I stave that off with singulair and Pulmicort.
Other than that, 9 days is plenty of time for this to go away. Make sure to get lots of sleep. If cough is not letting you sleep at night, consider cough syrup with codeine if you have that available to you (I know the brand version is off the market but maybe there are generics).
In terms of folk remedies, I recommend eucalyptus inhalations, dry leaves are best but oil will do in a pinch -- put in boiling water, take the pot off the stove and let it stand for a couple of minutes, then make a "tent" with a towel over your head over the steam and inhale.
Also, manuka honey losenges help me. I like the Wedderspoon brand.
posted by virve at 10:36 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Other than that, 9 days is plenty of time for this to go away. Make sure to get lots of sleep. If cough is not letting you sleep at night, consider cough syrup with codeine if you have that available to you (I know the brand version is off the market but maybe there are generics).
In terms of folk remedies, I recommend eucalyptus inhalations, dry leaves are best but oil will do in a pinch -- put in boiling water, take the pot off the stove and let it stand for a couple of minutes, then make a "tent" with a towel over your head over the steam and inhale.
Also, manuka honey losenges help me. I like the Wedderspoon brand.
posted by virve at 10:36 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
If it's getting cold and dry where you live, put a humidifier in your bedroom.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:50 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:50 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a cold too! Welcome to the club, I'm on day 5. I expect I'll pass in 3-4 days, but in the meantime:
- Tea: I drink ginger + honey tea when I'm sick because ginger has some antimicrobial properties and decaf teas are preferable because caffeine is a diuretic. I have a whole host of other decaf teas/tisanes I cycle through when I get sick of ginger (chamomile, decaf earl grey, sage, barley), but I usually skip mint because the oils can irritate my throat a bit. If I have it, I dice up peeled fresh ginger root and dump boiling water on it for 5-10 minutes, but the bagged ginger + lemon stuff is fine too.
- Neti pot: I neti pot once in the morning an hour or two after I get up (enough time to freshly boil water and let it cool) and it's magic for moving things through my nose more quickly and supposedly can reduce viral load. Sometimes I do a second time in the afternoon if it feels like I need it.
- Sudafed: I used to not drug myself out of a misplaced sense of suffering, but I've been on it for the last 24 hours and within two hours of my 12 hour extended capsule wearing off, my eyes started to water and I started to sneeze again. So I am back on sudafed.
- Humidifier: If I have a cough and have the AC on, I use a humidifier. My home is normally about 50% humidity so I don't use it otherwise, but if your home is <4> - Sleeping with my head elevated: This helps my sinuses/nose continue to drain during the night and means I wake up feeling somewhat better than when I'm totally flat and spend the first 1-2 hours of the day trying to process everything that accumuldated overnight.
- Shower or bathtub 2x/day, once in the morning and once at night to loosen things up.
I also try not to hole up inside the entire time - sometimes a gentle 15-20 min walk in the sunshine makes me feel a lot better and the movement can help me breath more deeply.
posted by A Blue Moon at 11:07 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
- Tea: I drink ginger + honey tea when I'm sick because ginger has some antimicrobial properties and decaf teas are preferable because caffeine is a diuretic. I have a whole host of other decaf teas/tisanes I cycle through when I get sick of ginger (chamomile, decaf earl grey, sage, barley), but I usually skip mint because the oils can irritate my throat a bit. If I have it, I dice up peeled fresh ginger root and dump boiling water on it for 5-10 minutes, but the bagged ginger + lemon stuff is fine too.
- Neti pot: I neti pot once in the morning an hour or two after I get up (enough time to freshly boil water and let it cool) and it's magic for moving things through my nose more quickly and supposedly can reduce viral load. Sometimes I do a second time in the afternoon if it feels like I need it.
- Sudafed: I used to not drug myself out of a misplaced sense of suffering, but I've been on it for the last 24 hours and within two hours of my 12 hour extended capsule wearing off, my eyes started to water and I started to sneeze again. So I am back on sudafed.
- Humidifier: If I have a cough and have the AC on, I use a humidifier. My home is normally about 50% humidity so I don't use it otherwise, but if your home is <4> - Sleeping with my head elevated: This helps my sinuses/nose continue to drain during the night and means I wake up feeling somewhat better than when I'm totally flat and spend the first 1-2 hours of the day trying to process everything that accumuldated overnight.
- Shower or bathtub 2x/day, once in the morning and once at night to loosen things up.
I also try not to hole up inside the entire time - sometimes a gentle 15-20 min walk in the sunshine makes me feel a lot better and the movement can help me breath more deeply.
posted by A Blue Moon at 11:07 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Hot whiskey with honey and lemon. Someone else must make this for you, and they must say "this'll sort you right out".
posted by Hermione Dies at 11:08 AM on October 8, 2023 [18 favorites]
posted by Hermione Dies at 11:08 AM on October 8, 2023 [18 favorites]
The annoying cough that won't go away once all the other symptoms have gone tends to be easily wrapped up with a couple of days of diligent saline spray use. My dad always used it and I hated it but he was RIGHT. That stuff is magic. Salt gargle throughout too. Salt has no business being as amazing as it is.
I have a cold right now - which just started today - and should go and heed my own words .
9 days is plenty of time to get over a cold! You (and your immune system) got this.
posted by urbanlenny at 11:20 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a cold right now - which just started today - and should go and heed my own words .
9 days is plenty of time to get over a cold! You (and your immune system) got this.
posted by urbanlenny at 11:20 AM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
My son swears that he killed a cold when he fell asleep in bed with a mattress warmer on high and woke up hotter and sweatier than he's ever been in his life. All cold symptoms were gone after that.
posted by mezzanayne at 11:25 AM on October 8, 2023
posted by mezzanayne at 11:25 AM on October 8, 2023
A Blue Moon: - Tea: I drink ginger + honey tea when I'm sick
Me too! Ginger is great, I use it fresh if I have it, grated is best. And in generous amounts.
I often also add tumeric and liquorice root and a dash of black pepper, and make a large pot of tea that I allow to steep on a tea light for a good while (it won't get bitter, it just gets better) while I keep drinking cups of this hot, comforting tea. I call this Golden Tea.
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:30 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Me too! Ginger is great, I use it fresh if I have it, grated is best. And in generous amounts.
I often also add tumeric and liquorice root and a dash of black pepper, and make a large pot of tea that I allow to steep on a tea light for a good while (it won't get bitter, it just gets better) while I keep drinking cups of this hot, comforting tea. I call this Golden Tea.
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:30 AM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
eponysterical?!
Anyway: I tend to drink/consume orange-flavored things and chicken soup, perhaps even ramen. If laryngitis comes up, order a product online called "friar's balsam" to put and drink in your water.
Guess who's also had a cold recently...Otherwise I've just been constantly shooting saline solution up my nose to get all the snot out. a lot of that. Try to get your nose as clear as you can manage before sleeping. Sleeping with a lozenge in my mouth in case your nose clogs so much at night that you start breathing through your mouth and your throat dries out.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2023
Anyway: I tend to drink/consume orange-flavored things and chicken soup, perhaps even ramen. If laryngitis comes up, order a product online called "friar's balsam" to put and drink in your water.
Guess who's also had a cold recently...Otherwise I've just been constantly shooting saline solution up my nose to get all the snot out. a lot of that. Try to get your nose as clear as you can manage before sleeping. Sleeping with a lozenge in my mouth in case your nose clogs so much at night that you start breathing through your mouth and your throat dries out.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2023
I like hot & sour soup (doesn't matter if it's Chinese or Thai style), the combo of hot soup and the acid of the broth busts through mucus for me. The spice clears my sinuses, or at least makes my nose run more. I know some folks say chicken soup, but the times I've had a cold & had access to hot & sour soup, I feel like it shortened the progression. Weird tip, but I swear by it.
I have found that zinc does work for me. I prefer the smallest amount in lozenges, which I use throughout the day. (There's a version of Halls cough drops that has like 9mg of zinc, which I find great, others may find it's not enough). The pills can be tough on my tummy, and I believe one study showed that increasing the level of zinc in the tissues of the mouth & throat knocks the virus back faster.
I have only found pseudoephedrine (sudafed) to work for congestion, but I try not to take it at night as it keeps me up, your mileage may vary, but if you're trying to get as much rest as possible, beware.
Generally avoid caffeine & alcohol. So herbal teas. If you must have some caffeine load it early in the day and add extra fluids.
Lots of liquids, preferably hot. I also like a little lemon juice with some ginger & honey in it, eaten with a spoon (like a quarter cup, not a full glass of the stuff). The acid cuts the mucus, ginger stimulates and the honey soothes
A teaspoon of honey to quiet coughs. There are also some little lozenges called Honeez that are just honey in a solid form that are great, and easier to carry around.
For a really sore throat, I've found cepacol spray to be very effective and help with me getting all the fluids I need (if it's tough to swallow, you avoid it).
Throat coat tea or slippery elm lozenges are also awesome at soothing the throat. Especially if you're talking a lot. I prefer it over the anesthetic properties of cepacol.
Nthing swishing/gargling with salt water. It's a dirt cheap treatment that really seems to soothe.
You have the time to get over this, so take care of yourself now.
posted by typetive at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have found that zinc does work for me. I prefer the smallest amount in lozenges, which I use throughout the day. (There's a version of Halls cough drops that has like 9mg of zinc, which I find great, others may find it's not enough). The pills can be tough on my tummy, and I believe one study showed that increasing the level of zinc in the tissues of the mouth & throat knocks the virus back faster.
I have only found pseudoephedrine (sudafed) to work for congestion, but I try not to take it at night as it keeps me up, your mileage may vary, but if you're trying to get as much rest as possible, beware.
Generally avoid caffeine & alcohol. So herbal teas. If you must have some caffeine load it early in the day and add extra fluids.
Lots of liquids, preferably hot. I also like a little lemon juice with some ginger & honey in it, eaten with a spoon (like a quarter cup, not a full glass of the stuff). The acid cuts the mucus, ginger stimulates and the honey soothes
A teaspoon of honey to quiet coughs. There are also some little lozenges called Honeez that are just honey in a solid form that are great, and easier to carry around.
For a really sore throat, I've found cepacol spray to be very effective and help with me getting all the fluids I need (if it's tough to swallow, you avoid it).
Throat coat tea or slippery elm lozenges are also awesome at soothing the throat. Especially if you're talking a lot. I prefer it over the anesthetic properties of cepacol.
Nthing swishing/gargling with salt water. It's a dirt cheap treatment that really seems to soothe.
You have the time to get over this, so take care of yourself now.
posted by typetive at 11:52 AM on October 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
When I was in med school, one of my attendings told his patients to get Advil Cold and Sinus from behind the pharmacy counter, because its decongestant (pseudoephedrine) works better than what’s in DayQuil, etc. (phenylephrine). I haven’t had a chance to test it out yet, but he’s an experienced family physician—I trust him.
I’ve had success with MASS quantities of echinacea drops, not the capsules. My bf swears by oregano.
Less fringe-y: force yourself to eat full meals. In my 20s I was once alone in an apt. with only leftovers of real food—it wasn’t Thanksgiving, but that kind of thing. No chicken soup, etc. So I ate the real food and recovered in record time. Your body needs fuel to fight off the virus!!
posted by 8603 at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
I’ve had success with MASS quantities of echinacea drops, not the capsules. My bf swears by oregano.
Less fringe-y: force yourself to eat full meals. In my 20s I was once alone in an apt. with only leftovers of real food—it wasn’t Thanksgiving, but that kind of thing. No chicken soup, etc. So I ate the real food and recovered in record time. Your body needs fuel to fight off the virus!!
posted by 8603 at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
FWIW, the "Chinese wisdom" with cold is "sweat it out", by basically forcing yourself to consume a ton of water and sweat it out (or go to pee a lot) and basically overheat yourself, but this often is accompanied with Chinese herbal meds that taste horrible.
My personal experience is use the proper day and night cold meds, keep yourself hydrated, (I consume quite a bit of Chinese style rice porridge, aka Jook) and sleep in a lot during those days.
posted by kschang at 12:51 PM on October 8, 2023
My personal experience is use the proper day and night cold meds, keep yourself hydrated, (I consume quite a bit of Chinese style rice porridge, aka Jook) and sleep in a lot during those days.
posted by kschang at 12:51 PM on October 8, 2023
True that phenylephrine doesn't work. Pseudoephedrine works well for sinus congestion, though it does come with important medical contraindications.
Dextromethorphan can be helpful as a cough suppressant, again with important medical considerations, including but not limited to drowsiness.
Hot water/tea for symptomatic relief and plenty of sleep can help. But yes, colds generally last 7 days or so. Lingering post-infection bronchitis can cause a prolonged cough with which cough suppressants can help.
posted by aquamvidam at 1:02 PM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Dextromethorphan can be helpful as a cough suppressant, again with important medical considerations, including but not limited to drowsiness.
Hot water/tea for symptomatic relief and plenty of sleep can help. But yes, colds generally last 7 days or so. Lingering post-infection bronchitis can cause a prolonged cough with which cough suppressants can help.
posted by aquamvidam at 1:02 PM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
pulled back on my workouts
Unless that means "zero workouts", my additional tip would be zero workouts for now.
When I'm in the first days of a cold, nothing helps me like full rest. Also: staying really warm, to the point of almost too warm. Throat lozenges. Sleep alternating with light reading or better yet, audiobooks. Hot soup. Warm socks.
I call it "aggressively resting". With a lot of rest, nine days is plenty of time.
posted by M. at 1:55 PM on October 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
Unless that means "zero workouts", my additional tip would be zero workouts for now.
When I'm in the first days of a cold, nothing helps me like full rest. Also: staying really warm, to the point of almost too warm. Throat lozenges. Sleep alternating with light reading or better yet, audiobooks. Hot soup. Warm socks.
I call it "aggressively resting". With a lot of rest, nine days is plenty of time.
posted by M. at 1:55 PM on October 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
Sinus irrigation with sterilized water and buffer.
If you haven't tried it before it sounds absurd, but it works unreasonably at minimizing the symptoms and duration of head colds.
posted by mhoye at 2:13 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you haven't tried it before it sounds absurd, but it works unreasonably at minimizing the symptoms and duration of head colds.
posted by mhoye at 2:13 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
You didn't say if you were flying to the presentation.
Airport waiting areas, in-flight air quality, and three days of hotel room and transportation exposure may irritate your sinuses and throat.
Consider what you can take in check-in luggage or buy once you arrive. Keep prescription medications with your personal bag.
Can a reliable person at the destination put together a go bag for you? A humidifier and a wedge pillow would be helpful at the hotel, along with extra clean blankets.
posted by TrishaU at 2:16 PM on October 8, 2023
Airport waiting areas, in-flight air quality, and three days of hotel room and transportation exposure may irritate your sinuses and throat.
Consider what you can take in check-in luggage or buy once you arrive. Keep prescription medications with your personal bag.
Can a reliable person at the destination put together a go bag for you? A humidifier and a wedge pillow would be helpful at the hotel, along with extra clean blankets.
posted by TrishaU at 2:16 PM on October 8, 2023
Sleep as much as you can and stay hydrated. Ideally, stay hydrated with warm, soothing beverages:
When I’m sick, I keep a travel mug of hot water (or tea) with lemon, ginger, and honey constantly in arm’s reach. I start with a quarter of a lemon and a little chunk of peeled ginger in my cup, then I just refill with hot water and add more honey whenever I need to. I replace the lemon and ginger every few refills. Bourbon is delightful here, but I generally skip it because alcohol makes me feel tired and sad the next day.
Also, homemade broth (if you have some in your freezer, have a fancy grocery store that carries good frozen broth, or have a friend who can bring you some), warmed up and mixed with a spoonful of sambal olek or similar chili sauce, is another great, hydrating, and comforting thing to sip when you’re sick.
posted by theotherdurassister at 2:33 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I’m sick, I keep a travel mug of hot water (or tea) with lemon, ginger, and honey constantly in arm’s reach. I start with a quarter of a lemon and a little chunk of peeled ginger in my cup, then I just refill with hot water and add more honey whenever I need to. I replace the lemon and ginger every few refills. Bourbon is delightful here, but I generally skip it because alcohol makes me feel tired and sad the next day.
Also, homemade broth (if you have some in your freezer, have a fancy grocery store that carries good frozen broth, or have a friend who can bring you some), warmed up and mixed with a spoonful of sambal olek or similar chili sauce, is another great, hydrating, and comforting thing to sip when you’re sick.
posted by theotherdurassister at 2:33 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
A cold virus should run its course before the 9 days are up. The risk here is it turning into a sinus infection or moving into your lungs. Taking pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin around the clock to control mucus production and gargling frequently with hot salty water should help prevent that.
posted by Jacqueline at 2:47 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Jacqueline at 2:47 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Afrin extra strength to relieve your congestion at night so that you can get sleep. I'm too afraid to use it for more than the 3 days, but it's the only way I can get sleep when the congestion is at its worst. Avoid the generic version. Sudafed during the day, the one you have to get from the pharmacist with identification. Definitely not the one that is on the shelf.
posted by mrsbartolozzi at 2:49 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mrsbartolozzi at 2:49 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oil of Oregano, taken twice daily, halves the duration of my colds, and will stop them entirely if taken early enough. Add zinc and echinacea, and you'll be able to bounce a quarter off your immune system.
Absolute yes to saline nasal sprays and humidifiers.
posted by ananci at 2:54 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Absolute yes to saline nasal sprays and humidifiers.
posted by ananci at 2:54 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
IME, in nine days you will feel almost perfectly fine. Probably lingering fatigue. But my colds all last almost exactly seven days where I'd say I felt "sick," though the worst is done by day five. Sorry you got a cold but I think you (sorta) lucked out by the timing.
Rest, fluids, try not to talk a lot. NyQuil will work once for me during a cold. If I try to take it a second night, I find it messes with my sleep. So I try to use it on the night I figure I'm "sickest" like night 2 or 3. If i have a lot of mucus symptoms (not something I always get) then DayQuil usually dries me up enough to keep it from being super annoying during the day (dripping, etc). But I try to use that sparingly, too as it has reduced effects if I take it regularly.
Try to rest as much as possible though. Water. Make yourself eat. Water. Go to bed early every night. Water. Sorry.
posted by SoberHighland at 3:22 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Rest, fluids, try not to talk a lot. NyQuil will work once for me during a cold. If I try to take it a second night, I find it messes with my sleep. So I try to use it on the night I figure I'm "sickest" like night 2 or 3. If i have a lot of mucus symptoms (not something I always get) then DayQuil usually dries me up enough to keep it from being super annoying during the day (dripping, etc). But I try to use that sparingly, too as it has reduced effects if I take it regularly.
Try to rest as much as possible though. Water. Make yourself eat. Water. Go to bed early every night. Water. Sorry.
posted by SoberHighland at 3:22 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
The real answer is that the only thing that works is rest, fluids and time. Most colds resolve within 4-7 days on their own.
If you have very thick phlegm, take very large doses of guaifenesin (not the kind with a cough suppressant or decongestant) and drink a lot of water to thin your mucous. If you feel like you’re straining your voice, stop talking and take NSAIDs to bring town swelling in your vocal folds. These things won’t help the cold resolve any faster, but they will help control some of the symptoms.
posted by slkinsey at 3:34 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you have very thick phlegm, take very large doses of guaifenesin (not the kind with a cough suppressant or decongestant) and drink a lot of water to thin your mucous. If you feel like you’re straining your voice, stop talking and take NSAIDs to bring town swelling in your vocal folds. These things won’t help the cold resolve any faster, but they will help control some of the symptoms.
posted by slkinsey at 3:34 PM on October 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
I suspect you will be mostly better by then (except perhaps a lingering cough)... I think your biggest risk of still being seriously sick by then is if your cold turns into a sinus infection, which unfortunately happens to me a lot with colds. My latest strategy to avoid this (which has worked so far but I only started trying it last winter) is nasal irrigation... I got the squirt bottle kind, neti pots feel too complicated to me.
Oh, and if you feel any signs of laryngitis, minimize talking as much as humanly possible (and remember that whispering is actually worse for your vocal chords, not better.)
posted by EmilyClimbs at 5:35 PM on October 8, 2023
Oh, and if you feel any signs of laryngitis, minimize talking as much as humanly possible (and remember that whispering is actually worse for your vocal chords, not better.)
posted by EmilyClimbs at 5:35 PM on October 8, 2023
Nthing that nine days should be plenty of time for it to pass on its own, so long as you get plenty of rest.
Not sure if it's placebo effect or something, because you're certainly not meant to take Claritin for a cold, but I was getting over a bad cold last month and while I was better at the nine-day mark, I had a persistent throat tickle and lingering (non-productive) cough, and non-drowsy Claritin really did wonders for that. Maybe it was just allergies acting up rather than the lingering cold, but if you have that problem, it's worth a shot! The symptom that really lingered with that cold was an easily irritated throat, so I'd recommend keeping a lot of honey drops and herbal tea with honey on hand to soothe it. Other than that, I medicated with pseudoephedrine and guafinesin, and carefully rationed my Afrin, limiting it to three nights to ensure I got enough sleep, until the worst of the congestion passed. Do not use phenylephrine for congestion, as others have noted, it straight up does not work.
Also, a word of warning: in an attempt to battle my congestion, I had spicy food, which helped the congestion, but unfortunately I think it irritated my throat too much and made my sore throat linger for longer. So maybe be careful with the spicy food!
posted by yasaman at 6:50 PM on October 8, 2023
Not sure if it's placebo effect or something, because you're certainly not meant to take Claritin for a cold, but I was getting over a bad cold last month and while I was better at the nine-day mark, I had a persistent throat tickle and lingering (non-productive) cough, and non-drowsy Claritin really did wonders for that. Maybe it was just allergies acting up rather than the lingering cold, but if you have that problem, it's worth a shot! The symptom that really lingered with that cold was an easily irritated throat, so I'd recommend keeping a lot of honey drops and herbal tea with honey on hand to soothe it. Other than that, I medicated with pseudoephedrine and guafinesin, and carefully rationed my Afrin, limiting it to three nights to ensure I got enough sleep, until the worst of the congestion passed. Do not use phenylephrine for congestion, as others have noted, it straight up does not work.
Also, a word of warning: in an attempt to battle my congestion, I had spicy food, which helped the congestion, but unfortunately I think it irritated my throat too much and made my sore throat linger for longer. So maybe be careful with the spicy food!
posted by yasaman at 6:50 PM on October 8, 2023
Response by poster: I’ve marked as best answer the things I’m trying (basically staying bed ridden for the week, taking zinc, and keeping very very warm. I’ll report back how I do!
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 8:19 AM on October 9, 2023
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 8:19 AM on October 9, 2023
I have a counter-argument to this point:
Dextromethorphan can be helpful as a cough suppressant, again with important medical considerations, including but not limited to drowsiness.
I personally have always been uneasy about cough suppressants. Because - the reason you cough is that there is gak clogging you up, and you are trying to get it out. And since a cough suppressant stops you from coughing - you have gak clogging you up still. And - that's bad, yeah?
So instead to treat a cough, I go with guaifenesin, which thins up the gak and mucus and makes it easier for you to get it out when you cough or blow your nose. I'd especially go this route if you're going to be hanging around the house for the next couple days, because then you can be hacking and coughing and blowing your nose away like a foghorn and no one's gonna care. Guaifenesin is the stuff that's in Mucinex, and some formulas of Robitussin cough syrup also include it.
For a REAL magic bullet, though - there is a cough syrup from Canada called Buckley's Mixture, and that stuff is MIRACULOUS. I first encountered it when I had a cough that I couldn't shake for a week; a pharmacist recommended it to me, and I swear that within only TEN MINUTES after my first dose, my near-constant cough finally stopped. I took some again when I got Covid last year (it manifested more like a nasty summer cold in my case), and it worked just as well - even though, as I later discovered, the bottle I'd been using had expired 6 months prior.
The only caveat is that it tastes like yeti spooge - the slogan literally is "it tastes awful, but it works". Both parts of that slogan are 100% accurate. ...Unfortunately it's only available in Canada, and I can only get it mail-order off Amazon for like $20 a bottle - so given your timing you may not be able to get your hands on it. But if you can - try that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:43 AM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
Dextromethorphan can be helpful as a cough suppressant, again with important medical considerations, including but not limited to drowsiness.
I personally have always been uneasy about cough suppressants. Because - the reason you cough is that there is gak clogging you up, and you are trying to get it out. And since a cough suppressant stops you from coughing - you have gak clogging you up still. And - that's bad, yeah?
So instead to treat a cough, I go with guaifenesin, which thins up the gak and mucus and makes it easier for you to get it out when you cough or blow your nose. I'd especially go this route if you're going to be hanging around the house for the next couple days, because then you can be hacking and coughing and blowing your nose away like a foghorn and no one's gonna care. Guaifenesin is the stuff that's in Mucinex, and some formulas of Robitussin cough syrup also include it.
For a REAL magic bullet, though - there is a cough syrup from Canada called Buckley's Mixture, and that stuff is MIRACULOUS. I first encountered it when I had a cough that I couldn't shake for a week; a pharmacist recommended it to me, and I swear that within only TEN MINUTES after my first dose, my near-constant cough finally stopped. I took some again when I got Covid last year (it manifested more like a nasty summer cold in my case), and it worked just as well - even though, as I later discovered, the bottle I'd been using had expired 6 months prior.
The only caveat is that it tastes like yeti spooge - the slogan literally is "it tastes awful, but it works". Both parts of that slogan are 100% accurate. ...Unfortunately it's only available in Canada, and I can only get it mail-order off Amazon for like $20 a bottle - so given your timing you may not be able to get your hands on it. But if you can - try that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:43 AM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a tremendous propensity for lingering post viral coughs.
If I have an infection I will then have a cough for, like, a month afterwards.
My research suggests that drinking black coffee with honey is the most effective treatment for it.
(outperforming any actual cough medicine, and even apparently oral steroids)
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 9:41 AM on October 9, 2023
If I have an infection I will then have a cough for, like, a month afterwards.
My research suggests that drinking black coffee with honey is the most effective treatment for it.
(outperforming any actual cough medicine, and even apparently oral steroids)
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 9:41 AM on October 9, 2023
Have you ever heard the old saw that cold symptoms last seven days if you don't treat them and a week if you do? I once had a doctor tell me it was basically true. He prescribed a cough suppressant and advised lots of rest, plenty of fluids, and OTC ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen as needed for fever or aches and pains. He said most of the symptoms should be gone within a week but that the cough could take two weeks or longer to resolve. Excluding covid, with only one exception this has been true of every cold I've had in the years since that visit. (That one exception makes me think that this recent news item about "long colds" is probably onto something).
Personally I swear by hot tea with lemon and honey as a soother for a cough and sore throat. I feel like it's a folk remedy for a reason.
posted by fedward at 10:39 AM on October 9, 2023
Personally I swear by hot tea with lemon and honey as a soother for a cough and sore throat. I feel like it's a folk remedy for a reason.
posted by fedward at 10:39 AM on October 9, 2023
Agree with the consensus that sleep, hydration, humidity, and nine whole days is very likely going to have you feeling like a million ducks.
In a couple of days, you may want to see what OTC things for whatever lingering symptoms you have. For me, if I have congestion, the real Sudafed behind the pharmacy counter is the only thing that works. I'd take a 12 hour dose three hours before the presentation. For a post-nasal drip and the cough that goes with it, I react well to Claratin/loratadine at least an hour before I need to sound well.
posted by advicepig at 1:53 PM on October 9, 2023
In a couple of days, you may want to see what OTC things for whatever lingering symptoms you have. For me, if I have congestion, the real Sudafed behind the pharmacy counter is the only thing that works. I'd take a 12 hour dose three hours before the presentation. For a post-nasal drip and the cough that goes with it, I react well to Claratin/loratadine at least an hour before I need to sound well.
posted by advicepig at 1:53 PM on October 9, 2023
take very large doses of guaifenesin (not the kind with a cough suppressant or decongestant)
I will note that I went out to buy Mucinex yesterday and they didn't have ANY that didn't include extras along with that drug, including That Drug That Has Been Proven Not To Work That Starts With A P. There was no straight guaifensin drug to be bought.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:55 PM on October 9, 2023
I will note that I went out to buy Mucinex yesterday and they didn't have ANY that didn't include extras along with that drug, including That Drug That Has Been Proven Not To Work That Starts With A P. There was no straight guaifensin drug to be bought.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:55 PM on October 9, 2023
Cough suppressants may be necessary if you get the deep kind of cough that left you wheezing for breath. It takes some practice to cough up the phlegm without using coughs
posted by kschang at 5:52 PM on October 9, 2023
posted by kschang at 5:52 PM on October 9, 2023
Cough suppressants may be necessary if you get the deep kind of cough that left you wheezing for breath. It takes some practice to cough up the phlegm without using coughs
Or taken at night if coughing is keeping you from sleeping well. B/c again, rest is super important, and sleep is probably the number one thing you can do to feel better.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:41 PM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
Or taken at night if coughing is keeping you from sleeping well. B/c again, rest is super important, and sleep is probably the number one thing you can do to feel better.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:41 PM on October 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
It takes some practice to cough up the phlegm without using coughs
Ugh. I literally can't get that out from coughing. I threw up for a YEAR trying to get phlegm out after I had pneumonia. I swear it's trapped...somewhere inaccessible. So gross.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:46 PM on October 9, 2023
Ugh. I literally can't get that out from coughing. I threw up for a YEAR trying to get phlegm out after I had pneumonia. I swear it's trapped...somewhere inaccessible. So gross.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:46 PM on October 9, 2023
Super hot baths, to help sweat it out, without needing to sweat. Sweat lodges and saunas are a thing that works to help make you heal.
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:19 PM on October 10, 2023
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:19 PM on October 10, 2023
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posted by Blue Jello Elf at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2023 [35 favorites]