How to Speed Up Getting Rid of a Cold

Some cold viruses cause watery eyes and sneezing.

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

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.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a doctor before taking new vitamins or dietary supplements and do not exceed the recommended daily allowance.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using zinc-based nasal sprays due to the permanent loss of smell, known as anosmia.

References

• Mayo Clinic; Common Cold; 2011
• U.S. National Library of Medicine; Evaluation of Echinacea for the Prevention and Treatment of the Common Cold - A Meta-Analysis; SA Shah et al.; 2007
• U.S. National Library of Medicine; Examining the Evidence for the Use of Vitamin C in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of the Common Cold; KA Heimer et al.; 2009
• Office of Dietary Supplements - National Institutes of Health: Vitamin C
• U.S. National Library of Medicine; Zince for the Common Cold; M Singh et al.; 2011
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: In the News - Zinc and the Common Cold