Tips to Avoid the Common Cold

If, despite your best efforts, you feel a cold coming on, here are five things you can do to get over it faster, or minimize your misery. 1. GET PLENTY OF REST Just like you can be more

predisposed to viral illnesses when you're tired, physically taxed or your immune system is a bit suppressed, you'll also get over them faster if you allow yourself enough rest,

Factora says. 2. STAY HYDRATED Drink lots of fluids like water, hot tea or nutrient-laden chicken soup; turn on your humidifier to mitigate the dry winter air and avoid alcohol, which can

dehydrate you. “The cold virus stimulates the secreting cells in your sinuses and your nose to make mucus,” says McLean. “If you are relatively dehydrated, the mucus is going to be thicker

and harder to clear; and if you're more stuffed up, you may get an infection in the area." 3. TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER COLD MEDICATIONS WITH CARE Pain meds like aspirin, acetaminophen

(Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) will ease sore throats and overall aches, while their anti-inflammatory properties can help tame inflamed nasal passages. McLean suggests

patients who have well-controlled blood pressure may also take decongestants, as well as cough syrups, if they have post-nasal drip. But while such over-the-counter options can help, you

should check the ingredients on the back of every box to make sure that none interfere with or duplicate another medication (like acetaminophen) that you're already taking. Also avoid

intranasal zinc. The FDA has warned against these sprays after finding they can damage a person's sense of smell long-term. 4. TRY VITAMIN C “Vitamin C seems to have had more robust

medical trials than other things like zinc,” says Factora. Various studies indicate that taking at least 200 milligrams a day can reduce the severity of cold symptoms. “There is generally no

harm in taking it, unless you have kidney stones,” says Factora. 5. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, SEE YOUR DOCTOR If you're still sick after two weeks, see your doctor, Allen advises. Also seek

medical treatment, he says, “if you have been fever-free for two to three days but then see a sudden spike in fever, which could suggest a secondary bacterial infection or something else

going on.” Adds Factora: “If you are worried that you have flu symptoms, like muscle aches, high fever or coughing, call your primary care doctor.” If you do so soon enough, he or she can

prescribe medications to help reduce the duration of influenza, if it turns out that is what you have. And if you have underlying lung disease like emphysema or COPD (chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease) and get any viral illness, there may be a role for an antibiotic.