Sore Throat and Cold

Coughing. Aching Sneezing. Take a few simple actions to knock out the annoying common cold. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

• Drink those fluids Get plenty of water and other clear fluids to help thin mucus.
  
• Take extra vitamin C Studies have shown 1 to 4 grams a day may make your cold shorter and less severe.
  
• Shorten sick time with echinacea At the first signs of a cold, take 3 to 5 ml of this herb as a juice or tincture every two hours to make your cold less severe.
  
• Use zinc lozenges Use lozenges containing zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate, providing 13 to 25 mg every two hours, to help stop the virus and shorten the illness.
  
• Try andrographis or Kan Jang Take a standardized extract providing at least 48 mg per day of andrographolides, with or without eleuthero extract (Kan Jang) to reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
  
• Be sure to rest Give your body some down time to help it fight off the cold.

• Keep your hands clean Wash your hands frequently to avoid bringing viruses into close contact.
  
• Fight stress with vitamin C Take at least 500 mg per day if you have a physically demanding lifestyle.
  
• Go with garlic Take a daily extract containing stabilized allicin for fewer colds and illness days.
  
• Take American ginseng Use 400 mg per day of a freeze-dried extract to reduce the risk of catching a cold.

About This Condition

The common cold is an acute (short-term) viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that may be spread through the air (by sneezing, for example) or by contact with contaminated objects.
A note about children’s cold medicine:
Concerns in the news about the safety of cough and cold medicines have left many parents confused about the safest ways to treat their children’s cold symptoms. At a hearing, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that, until more research shows safety and efficacy, these medicines should not be given to children under two years old unless instructed by a healthcare provider. For parents who may want to continue giving over-the-counter cold medicines to their children, the FDA has the following recommendations:

• Read all of the information in the “Drug Facts” box on the product label.
• Do not give children medicine more often or in greater amounts than what is listed on the product label and use only as directed.
• Do not give children medication that is intended for adult use.
• Be aware that using various cough and cold medicines in combination may pose health risks; parents should ask a doctor whether or not it is safe to use products in combination.
• Use appropriate measuring devices; parents should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they do not understand the dosing directions.

Symptoms

The common cold often causes runny nose, sore throat, and malaise (vague discomfort). Sore throat is sometimes a symptom of a more serious condition distinct from the common cold, such as strep throat, which may require medical diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics. Since colds are caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective against the common cold.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

One study found that a daily saltwater nasal rinse may be beneficial for children with colds. The children who used saline nasal rinses (six times per day initially and three times per day during the rest of the 12-week study) had fewer nasal and throat symptoms, they were healthier, and fewer of them used medications to manage their symptoms than the children who did not use the rinses. They were also less likely to have been sick again, and they missed less school. The nasal rinse was a standard 0.9% saline (sodium chloride) solution with trace elements and minerals in concentrations similar to those in seawater. Neti pots (small pots for nasal rinsing) and mineral salts to use with them are now widely available. Lifestyle habits that may support the immune system and speed recovery include the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids in order to maintain water balance and to thin secretions.
• Eat raw garlic, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Crush a clove or two and add to foods like soups and grains just before serving.
• Gargling with plain water three times a day removes mucus and keeps bacteria and viruses from sticking around.
• A warm, humid environment created by a humidifier may provide some comfort while riding out a cold.

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