How To Get Over A Cold In One Day

If you're wondering 'How to get rid of a cold fast?', know that, sadly, there is no magic cure that will cause the virus that causes symptoms like a runny nose and fatigue to disappear from your system. Truly, WH is very sorry about this. What you can do, however, is alleviate said symptoms as much as possible, as you wait for the thing to run its course.

Side note: of course, if you have COVID-19 symptoms – a high temperature, a new, persistent dry cough or the loss of taste or smell – request a test as soon as possible, and stay at home until you get a negative result.

If you're confident that it's the common cold you're dealing with, scroll on for the WH guide to dealing with it, as best as possible.

How to get rid of a cold, fast: your need-to-know

Cold vs Flu symptoms: What's the difference?

First up, it's key to know what you're dealing with.

Both cold and flu are classed as respiratory illnesses, and they often have very similar signs...

5 common cold symptoms

A runny or blocked nose
Frequently sneezing
Sore throat and/or coughing
Headache
Tiredness

5 common flu symptoms

Fever, or a temperature of 38 degrees or higher
Chills
Muscle aches, joint pain and tiredness
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
More acute versions of the above cold symptoms

There is some overlap, but NHS Choices states that the main differences between the two are that flu symptoms tend to come on very quickly and usually include a fever and aching muscles, whereas signs of cold will emerge gradually and mainly affect your nose and throat.

So, what's the fastest way to get rid of a cold?

If you think you can clear a virus in a day, Dr Dan Robertson, medical officer at Push Doctor, has bad news for you.

'Sadly, it's not possible to get rid of a cold overnight - that's not how colds work,' he explains.'To recover, your body needs to stimulate an immune system response, kill the virus and repair itself. This takes time and there isn't really any way to rush it.'

The Best Cold and Flu Medicines

Otrivine Adult Measured Dose Sinusitis Spray 10ml

Strepsils Sore Throat and Cough Lozenges - 24 Lozenges

Lemsip Max All In One Cold & Flu Capsules 16 Capsules

Vicks Mentholated Rub 50g

'The best thing you can do is relieve the symptoms of a cold until the virus is out of your system,' says Dr Robertson. 'Nasal sprays, paracetamol and staying hydrated can all help.'

When it comes to what is not helpful? 'From a medical perspective, antibiotics will never work for a cold, as it's caused by a virus, not bacteria,' he says.

Boots

Boots Pharmaceuticals Blocked Nose Relief Nasal Spray - 22 ml

boots pharmaceuticals boots.com

£2.99

Great. But how do I get rid of a blocked nose?

You know the feeling; it's the early stages of a cold and you're feeling pretty bunged up. Your headaches and how to get to sleep? No chance.

Don't assume the only solution is dousing yourself in a tub of Vicks VapoRub – there are plenty of other things you can do to clear that nasal passage...

Try taking a hot shower to temporarily relieve a stuffy nose, as the steam can help to drain away mucus.
Apply a warm, wet flannel to the face to ease congestion - for an extra boost, add slices of fresh ginger to the water before soaking the facecloth.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is thought to help replace lots fluids (for example, from fever) and loosen mucus. Some people swear by adding a teaspoon of vinegar to the mix; we'll let you try that one.
Give yourself a facial massage to get things moving.

And as to how to get rid of a sore throat?

If your throat feels like it's been rubbed with sandpaper and you're eager for relief, choose your medication wisely.

'You can pick up painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen from your local pharmacy - these usually work just as well as the more expensive products,' Dr Robertson advises.

'If your throat is really painful, ask for lozenges that contain flurbiprofen,' continues Dr Robertson. 'These will provide a local anti-inflammatory that can reduce pain within 10 minutes.'

Want a helping hand via herbs? Western medical herbalist Marie Mulcahy, from Urban Based Herbalist, recommends mixing the following ingredients...

Two teaspoons of dried sage leaves
200ml of boiling water
Small sliced cayenne pepper or a pinch of dried chilli powder
Two tablespoons of good quality honey (raw or Manuka is best as it has the most antibacterial, anti-viral properties)
Pinch of sea salt
A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar; organic is key

Stir the sage and cayenne or chilli powder in a jug and pour over the water. Leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, then add the salt, honey and vinegar, and stir well.

Gargle this three times a day, or put it, cold, into a small spray bottle that you can spray on the back of your throat as needed.

And how do I prevent a cold, in the first place?

If you manage to navigate winter without getting a cold, it's not just commendable –it's a miracle.

However, there are things that you can do all year round to make sure that if common colds do come your way, your body is prepared, making the whole process of how to get rid of a cold fast that little bit more bearable.

Government guidelines advise that you meet your 10mg vitamin D target throughout the year. Whether you opt for supplements or top up your levels through natural sources such as mushrooms (store yours on a sunny windowsill to ramp up their levels of the nutrient), ensuring you get enough will make you less likely to catch common colds when the winter months roll around.

Equally, filling your body with nutrient-dense foods and quality calories (think fresh fruits and vegetables) will support your immune system, and prioritising sleep will ensure your body is at full capacity when fighting off viruses.

The last, extra measure is to make sure you wash your hands regularly and carry a sanitiser to keep the germs at bay.

3 home remedies for cold and flu

1. Stock up on soups

Chicken, particularly, as this has been shown to contain substances with anti-inflammatory properties that might help you chill out some of your cold symptoms.

A study, published in the journal Chest, found that 'Grandma's Soup' (yes, that was the recipe they tested), which contained chicken, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery stems, and parsley, with the addition of salt and pepper, reaped the greatest rewards.

Veggie? Try chomping on antibacterial garlic cloves instead. The good news is, recent research has stated they're in fact best eaten cooked - not raw. Crush them first, then sauté or lightly bake them, for maximal benefits.

2. Take a hot bath

A steamy bath or shower will ease nasal congestion and help to relax your body. Adding a few drops of peppermint oil will open your airways to help with a stuffy head.

3. Dose up on vitamin C

It's a cliche but yes, stocking up on citrus fruits really can help get rid of a cold fast.

Taking 8g of vitamin C daily can shorten a cold by 19%, according to research from the University of Helsinki.

Should I exercise with a cold?

The million-dollar question. And one that often yields conflicting answers. Dr Robertson wants you to know that while a common cold might be draining, it doesn't have to mean your training regime need take a hit.

'Keeping your exercise programme going is important, but it's even more important not to push yourself too hard, as this can potentially make symptoms worse and delay your recovery,' he says.

'You might have to scale down your usual routine and stick to gentle exercise that ensures you don't get too out of breath.'

So what are your options?'If you're worried that you're not well enough, you should discuss this with a GP,' he adds. 'Generally speaking though, if you're well enough to go to work, you're well enough do some gentle exercise.

'Stick to gentle activities that you can take at your own pace such as swimming.' Noted.

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