How do you get rid of a cold?
79596
Drink lots of fluids, orange juice to be specific.  If you drink plenty of fluids, then you can urinate the virus out.  Also, get plenty of sleep.
1056893
Eating healthy and exercising is a great start and its good you have that already. Some people just have weak immune systems and find it hard to fight off colds. Try taking Echinacea at the start of the seasons, it will build your immune system but only take it for ten days straight, if you take it for too long it can start to weaken the immune system as your body gets used to it. There are a lot of natural remedies if you want further info, speak to your health professional :)\n\n\n I find having a bit of garlic at the start of winter keeps me cold free, it helps sinus and purifies your blood
422406
No scientifically proven cure exists for the common cold. Colds are caused by viruses and thus regular antibiotics do not work for it. Developing an anti-viral medication for colds is difficult as well since the "common cold" can be caused by hundreds of different kinds of viruses and those viruses may come in different strains. Research is being done on developing vaccinations and anti-viral medications, but nothing is quite so effective yet.\n\nStudies are also equivocal on whether vitamin C, zinc or ecchinacea actually help with reducing the severity or duration of colds. Some people swear by them while others don't feel they work. Anecdotally, I tend to take vitamin C and drink plenty of fluids if I feel a cold coming on. I do find that it seems to reduce the duration and severity of the cold. Of course, it may have been that the cold would have resolved in that same time on its own. Without a truly well developed study, it is hard to say whether they work or just provide a placebo effect.\n\nMany different medications exist in helping alleviate some of the symptoms of colds including coughs, nasal congestion, fevers and bodyaches. Tylenol or Motrin/Advil will help for the fevers and aches. Decongestants will help for the congestion. \n\nMost over the counter cough medications though (containing guainefesin and dextromethorphan) do not really help for the cough in the doses that are recommended. In fact, a recent study printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association (or was it in the New England Journal of Medicine - I don't quite remember) showed this. The doses of dextromethorphan that are required to really help with the cough are 2-3 times the recommended doses. Anecdotally speaking, it did help when I take those higher doses, but it does have a lot more side effects including dry mouth and a very dysphoric sensation (feeling drunk without the happiness). \n\nThere are prescription medications to help with the cough.\n\nThe best treatment for the cold, however, still remains prevention. Taking the necessary steps to prevent infection remains the best. This includes careful handwashing especially after using anything in public as well as phones, doorknobs and such. Obviously if someone coughs in your face, then washing your face would be of some benefit.\n\nOverall, there is no need to become neurotic though and develop obsessive handwashing behavior.
239572
if the cold symptoms just started, use cold-eeze. it helps! if it's been haning on for a while, the old remedies are best. (lots of rest, liquids, and vitamins!!!) Unfortunately, a real cold just needs to run it's course.
129537
There are only 3 things that can naturaly get rid of a cold faster: \n1. Chicken Soup\n2. Vitamin C\n3. Zinc Supplements
261109
A cold is a virus--you CANNOT get rid of it sooner.  It will end when it runs its course.  However there are several OTC medications that can relieve the symptoms of the cold, but it doesn't end it any sooner.  If you get a cold and take medication it will be over in about a week.  If you get a cold and you DON'T take any medication it will be over in about a week.
134353
echinacea is an herb that you can take that helps build up your immune system. \nAlso, the mass dose of vitamin C.  Only, more than once.  Get the vit C chews or roll that looks like hard candy and take 3-4 a day.  Linus Pauling was the scientist who researched and discovered that.  It won't "cure the cold", but it does help.  \nHave you had a chance to just take a day or two off to rest as well?   If not, your body may just be worn down.  \nGood luck.  Hope this helps.
11235
When you feel the cold just starting, drink a shot (one is enough) of any 80 proof alcohol (hope you're over 21 ;). If you were late and the cold is full blown, drink lots of fluids. Common cold is a virus, and viruses wash away. Try tea with lemon or honey, chicken soup is excellent. Avoid things that make you thirsty: carbonated drinks, coffee etc. If you can tolerate warm milk, it's a great thing to have. My colds don't last for more then two days.
49885
I recently had cold and I'm perfectly normal now. I think it is very good to have cold once in a while, so that your body takes care of itself. Further this will keep your body clean from within. Here are some good guidelines about what to do and what not.\n\nFor the last 1000's of years several humans had cold - and it takes about 7-10 days to get rid of cold. Its a natural process. So dont worry.\n\nHowever to make yourself comfortable during this period, you can do the following:\n1) Load up on garlic. "Garlic is one of the best natural antibiotics and antiseptics"\n2) take Cloves\n3) Vitamin-C\n4) Lemon\n5) Drink PLENTY of water\n6) MOST IMPORTANT - Keep your hands very clean. When you shake hands with someone, try to wipe your hands with some disinfectant or best, wash your hands and keep them clean. If you're in a hurry, ensure that you dont wipe your face until your hands are clean.\n7) Take a flu-shot before you get cold.\n\nPlease remember....you dont need to do all of these...a few of the above will help you. Depending on your curiosity, I'd also recommend visiting the wikipedia link below. Good Luck.
42773
Some evidence has suggested that zinc might trim a day or two off of the usual 7-10 day course.  But essentially there is nothing you can do except treat the symptoms.  Hydration, decongestants, and analgesics can be helpful for symptoms.  Painful or excessive cough can be treated with anti-tussives, but if possible avoid using these, since cough is an effective way of cleaning your lungs and airways.  \n\nHelp prevent getting a cold when people around you are sick by washing your hands frequently, and never touching your face.  You may want to frequently clean off keyboards and other surfaces that other people use.\n\nIf you have a cold, be kind and wash your hands frequently,  do not cough or sneeze into the air or into your hands, and let people know that you have a cold so that they can take precautions.  If you have something worse than a common cold, avoid people alltogether and see a physician.\n\nFinally if you do catch someone's common cold--and you probably will--take comfort that you will never get THAT particular cold again, since you are building an immunity to it.  However, there will always be plenty of new strains coming along every year that you can catch.
776423
There aren't really medicines that will prevent you from getting a cold, however taking adult multivitamins, and making sure that you are eating healthy and exercises, substantially lowers your risk for getting a cold. Also making sure you wash your hands, or carry hand sanitizer with you can help. Also, avoiding people who have the cold will help too. :) Making sure your immunity is up is KEY!
155291
Lots of rest, fluids, hot herbal tea for a sore throat, and avoid alcohol and caffeine (dehydrates you).\n\nEveryone has their own quick fix remedy, and what helps my colds go away faster is decaf green tea every day plus a clove of fresh garlic.  Heh, most ppl would prefer garlic pills, but I happen to love garlic anyway.  It's high on antioxidants.\n\nWith my last cold, I also tried zinc tablets.  They helped the sore throat, and they're supposed to help you get better faster.  I feel like they did.\n\nFeel better soon!
797577
There are many different things you can do to ease the cold. Try drinking lots of Tea for example some ginger root tea. To make this you will want to boil about 4 cups of water. Get a 2" chunk of ginger and peal off the peal. chop it up into small slivers and put it in the boiling water. you will want to then turn down the heat and put a lid on the pan and then let it simmer for 10 to 15 min. Its recommended to not use sweetener, but i know for me i have to have a little bit of honey.\n\nNext a lot of people swear by garlic. I know... ewe... but it does have a lot of healing properties. Some say you should make a tea with it, but i say that is gross, so just take one clove of garlic, peal off the husk, and cut it in to small chunks, DO NOT CHEW! this will lead to bad breath. just swallow the garlic with water like tacking a pill.\n\nMy last recommendation is sweet lemon tea. My mom used to make this for me all the time when i was little and sick. She would boil some water put it in a glass with a whole lemon and some honey to sweeten it. I always felt better after drinking that tea. and it still works to this day, even though i have to make it my self now.
843238
It is an old myth. Colds are viruses thats why there is no cure.  You can catch a chill from being out in the cold but not an actual cold.
324581
Basically, you need a time machine because really the only thing to get rid of a cold is time...it has to run its course and that is 3-7 days usually.  But you can treat the symptoms and NyQuil is pretty good at knocking you out so you feel better, get some sleep (which you need) and soon it will be tomorrow and you will probably feel better.  Tylenol is also good for fever and nice long baths feel good and they have stuff to put in your bath or shower to relieve cold symptoms.  Plus get lots of fluids (especially water) Get well soon!
572489
Once you have a cold, there's nothing you can do but let it run its course.  What you can do to ease the discomfort is drink lots of fluids(orange juice for vitamin C) and eat chicken soup.  Other than that, just try to relax and wait it out.
318529
normal cold 'remedies' dont make your recovery any more productive. they just delay it. you have to get all the bad stuff out of your body naturally.  Get lots of rest, take vitamin c, echinecia, and zinc to keep your immune system stong, drink lots of water and blow your nose often to flush the cold out, and if you have a sore throat drink tea with honey in it to soothe it