How to Speed Up Getting Rid of a Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sore throat, cough and fever. The usual length of a cold is one to two weeks, but taking vitamins and natural supplements reduce the duration.

Things You'll Need

• Vitamin C
• Zinc supplements
• Echinacea

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Instructions

• 1

  Take the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C before and during a cold to reduce the duration of symptoms. According to the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), they recommend adult males consume 90 mg and females consume 75 mg of vitamin C per day, preferably from dietary sources, such as fruits and vegetables.

• 2

  Take zinc supplements, lozenges or syrup at the first sign of a cold to reduce the length and severity of symptoms. Potential side effects include nausea and a bad taste in the mouth.

• 3

  Take echinacea in the early stages of a cold to reduce the duration by 1.4 days, according to studies published in The Lancet.