How to Stop a Common Cold

The common cold isn't caused by bacteria that can be taken care of with antibiotics, but by several different types of viruses that are attacking your body all at once. Few prescription medications are available to fight off the infection; instead, the best bet for clearing up cold symptoms is a mix of common sense and over-the-counter medications.

Instructions

Beating the Common Cold

• 1

  Shorten the duration. If you start to feel you might be getting a cold, try an over-the-counter medication specifically designed to shorten the duration. Zicam and other medications have been shown to both decrease the length of a cold and and limit severity.

• 2

  Fight the symptoms. Symptoms can include head and body aches, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, low fever and in extreme cases nausea and diarrhea. Common cold medicines suppress the symptoms until your body's natural defenses can take over. You can buy treatments for the individual symptoms or a multisymptom medication.

• 3

  Rest. There is a war raging inside your body as its natural defenses fight off pesky viruses that are rapidly multiplying. High levels of stress and anxiety as well as lack of sleep can tip the scales in favor of the viruses, leading to a much longer and more severe cold. Get plenty of rest and sleep, ideally at least 8 hours, so your body can recharge and continue the fight.

• 4

  Take your vitamins. Vitamins such as vitamin C and several minerals are important in fueling for the fight going on in your body. Start or continue to take daily vitamins so your "soldiers" have ammunition to use against the viruses.

• 5

  Eat your vegetables. A healthy body is essential to fight off common cold viruses. Cut out fatty foods and junk foods that have little nutritional value and stick with lean meats and healthy fruits and vegetables so your body is in its best shape. Also keep hydrated; drink plenty of water and eat foods that contain a lot of liquid such as chicken soup.