How to get better How to get better

Colds usually get better on their own in 7-10 days, but there are things you can do to help you fight the cold and feel better.

Take it easy

• Drink something soothing. Encourage children to drink their usual amount of fluids.
• Rest may also help to fight the virus and help you or your child feel better.
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

Relieve the symptoms, with or without medicines

Remember that all medicines can cause unwanted effects. Some medicines cannot be taken by people with particular medical conditions, by people who are also taking certain other medicines, by the young or old, during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. To choose the best medicine for you or your child ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice and always read the label.

Relieving blocked sinuses, clear mucus or dry a runny nose

• Saline (salt water) sprays or drops can help clear mucus.
• Inhale steam from the shower. Children should only inhale steam from a shower as steam from a bowl of hot water can burn the lining of a child's nose and the hot water can be spilled.
• Decongestants, for the nose, help some adults. These are available in different tablets, mixtures, nasal sprays and drops. Some decongestants are not safe if you have certain health conditions (e.g. heart problems) or take other medicines. Decongestants are unlikely to be effective for children under 12 years and they can cause serious side effects. Always ask your pharmacist or doctor whether a decongestant is safe for you or your child.
• Use an ointment to soothe dry and chapped skin around the nose.

Soothing a sore throat or cough

• Try gargling warm salty water.
• Suck on ice or a throat lozenge.
• Common pain relief medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin can ease the pain of a sore throat. Some people cannot use these medicines.
• Aspirin is not suitable for children and some adults. Ask your doctor or pharmacist and always read the label to make sure what you are using is safe for you or your child.
• Various combination 'cough and cold' and 'cold and flu' medicines are available but there are few good quality clinical trials proving their effectiveness, particularly in children. They are no longer recommended for use in children under 2 years.

Using vitamin or mineral supplements, herbal and natural medicines

All medicines, including herbal and natural medicines, can cause unwanted effects and may interact with other medicines. The benefits and risks of herbal and natural medicines may not have been tested.

Overall there isn’t enough information from good quality clinical trials to prove that vitamin or mineral supplements or herbal medicines help treat or prevent colds. This is particularly the case for children. In addition, there is generally limited information on their safety, and some can cause side effects.

Vitamin C supplements have not been shown to prevent colds or to give reliable effects in treating colds.

Zinc might shorten the length of a cold for some people or reduce the severity of their symptoms. But it can also cause side effects like nausea or a bad taste in the mouth.

Echinacea medicines available differ greatly and most have not been tested in good quality clinical trials. It is not known whether echinacea is likely to prevent or treat common colds.

• Common colds are viruses
• Antibiotics don't kill viruses
• How to get better
• When to see your doctor
• More on colds and flu