How To Get Rid Of A Common Cold Or Flu

Daylight savings has ended, the weather is getting cooler and as we mourn the loss of long, summer days, we begin to prepare for the shorter but significantly more snuggly days of winter. Winter often gets a bad wrap but there are some pretty great things about it – hot chocolates, chunky scarves, rainy movie days and bed socks to name a few. One inevitable part of winter that’s not so fab is picking up a cold – when you feel that tickle in your throat, you know what’s coming and it ain’t pretty. Thankfully, there are simple ways to shorten your cold without pumping your body full of antibiotics. I spoke to Vicks Senior Scientist, Dr Jaspreet Kochhar, to find out his tips for how to get rid of a common cold or flu.

RELATED: Why you need to give more hugs

Dr Kochhar explains the common cold is not one single disease, but rather a range of symptoms, like sneezing, a runny and blocked nose, a sore throat, aches, pains and a fever. In terms of treatment, he recommends these tips to help relieve the symptoms:

Tip #1: Humidify the air indoors

Dr Kochhar suggests using a humidifier if you’re suffering from a cold as humidifiers increase the moisture in the air, which may help to improve symptoms by “helping to clear secretions, soothing airways, and helping to break up mucous so you can cough it out more easily” (charming!). He adds, “Maintaining high humidity could potentially reduce viral infections.”

Tip #2: Get the right amount of sleep

It comes as no surprise that sleep is super important when you’re suffering from a cold. Dr Kochhar says you should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night, not as a luxury but as “a vital time that your body needs to repair cells and maintain your immune system”.

Tip #3: Decrease stress

This one is definitely easier said than done! Dr Kochhar explains, “Studies show that elevated levels of stress can have an effect on your immune system.” [1] To recover from a cold or flu or to ensure it doesn’t get worse, you may simply need to “relax and take it easy”.

Tip #4: Use the right OTC products

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need antibiotics to recover from a cold. Dr Kochhar lists the clinically-proven ingredients that work together to relieve pain and cold symptoms: “Paracetamol, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine.” There are many medications containing these ingredients (that are also codeine- and pseudoephedrine-free) available from your local pharmacies like Vicks Action Cold & Flu Day & Night Relief. bh also loves Weleda Cold and Flu Pilules and In Essence Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend for helping to relieve vold and flu symptoms.

Are you prone to the common cold or flu? What are your top tips for treating one?

*Always read the label. Use all medications as directed. If symptoms persist, please consult your healthcare professional. Dr Kochhar’s advice is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek advice from a qualified healthcare provider on queries regarding a medical condition.

[1] Eccles R., Weber O., Editors. Common Cold. Birkäuser Advances in Infectious Disease Series. Series Editors: Schmidt, A., Weber, O., Kaufmann, S.H.E. Ch: Etiology of the common cold: Modulating Factors by Doyle, W., Cohen, S. p. 159, 2009 Birkäuser Verlag, Basel/Switzerland.

94 Member Comments

Chrystalage 29 Jul 2020 11:23 PM

Unfortunately my respiratory tract is one of my body's weak spots. When I get a cold, they tend to linger for several weeks. I usually go to my osteopath as my chest needs help to unblock and move more freely. I tend to eat very light foods especially soups. Garlic doesn't agree with me and repeats badly.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

Love bug 15 Jun 2020 12:35 PM

Its crazy how much stress can affect your immune system and whats tough is that its not easy to get away from it because its constant

perthchick 12 Jun 2020 10:07 AM

Put paw paw cream on your nose. It acts as a barrier when you are blowing it so much.

Miramarmari 21 Feb 2020 8:27 AM

Eating a whole garlic and lemon and honey teas

Rose_P 28 Aug 2019 9:41 PM

Bumping up an old article.....I absolutely swear by this, but the best way to get rid of a cold is to take garlic and echinacea tablets. I take them at the very first sign of a cold, and more often than not I can beat it. Buy the tablets from any pharmacy, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse etc.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 1

Shop A Everyday 21 Jan 2018 12:29 AM

Green tea is great too

Goddess..... 10 Oct 2017 4:56 AM

Dressing warmly, Staying indoors & away from other people who might or might not have it save's it from spreading or catching it, Having warm meal's, Using Vick's vapour rub on your nose & applying it on your chest, Use a steam vapourriser at night & lastly take medication that you get from your pharmacy to help with the progress it will be alot fastest recovery that way then letting it be naturally. This is what I would do if I had the flu/cold.

Shop A Everyday 9 Aug 2017 1:44 AM

I love Olive leaf extract too

BeautifulJusty 1 Jul 2017 3:16 PM

Thankfully I don't get sick, even in tough weeks like the one I just had. I don't understand why people get the flu shots - many people I know get the flu immediately afterwards!

beauty_beauty 6 Nov 2016 10:12 PM

Sleep and a clean environment are very essential to cure the cold

Peta908 19 Aug 2016 1:54 PM

Try apple cider vinegar and honey in warm water, works a treat. I lose my voice when I get the cold/flu, and not only drinking this but also using it as a gargle means I'm not losing my voice anymore.

Yohanna 5 Jul 2016 5:30 PM

Oh, one more thingy...I do sleep a lot (min 8 hours), so this may also boost my immune system . And I never ever eat garlic. It actually does not help, as my family is loading on it, but still getting cold/flu every season!

Yohanna 5 Jul 2016 5:27 PM

What works for me since year 2001: Whole food plant based diet loaded with raw fruits (guessing it is loading daily with insane amounts of VitC! lol) raw nuts (Se rich brazil nuts maybe?) and every morning in the shower I do jala neti (sinus rinse). Have not had any viral/bacterial attack since over a decade!

darasparkle 3 Jul 2016 5:43 PM

Great tips! I am happy to finally have winter for one reason - no more recycled air-conditioning air...It makes your skin so dry and I swear half the reason of why I kept getting sick over and over.

deadstarcavegrl 24 Jun 2016 4:41 PM

I find that eating a raw clove of garlic as soon as I feel a cold coming on seems to work for me.

Ethelinde 15 May 2016 6:07 PM

I preach Vitamin C, manuka honey, a hot bath, and a good night's sleep.

Shop A Everyday 15 May 2016 2:39 PM

I have a head cold and cought Sambucol in Coles so I hope it works

Wendy1965 15 May 2016 1:12 PM

Plenty of sleep and fluids. I love a nasal spray to clear my nose

Mikayla 14 May 2016 4:37 PM

Sometimes my sniffles are hayfever, not a cold. I'm not sure which is worst as I get a high temperature with both.

thelifeoflaura 13 May 2016 10:32 AM

Humidifiers!! God send to blocked/stuffed up head!

Petal 10 May 2016 6:22 PM

Whenever I have a respiratory condition, I steam my head over a bowl of boiling hot water and eucalyptus oil if I'm having trouble breathing. I have just bought In Essence Breathe Easy Essential Oil Blend to see how it compares.

Accidental double post!

Jessica712 9 May 2016 12:31 AM

Perfect timing for me to read this. I have been battling a cold for two weeks now.

josella432 26 Apr 2016 4:28 PM

Rest, fluids and hand washing. Those are the big ones.

sootyblack_14 16 Apr 2016 3:39 PM

A combination of Olive Leaf Extract and Vitamin C... Colds and Flus don't stand a chance!!!

Pages

You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.