Most of these are about comfort while the cold runs its course. A few have some evidence behind them, and the effects are usually small.
- Honey in warm water or tea: in trials for adults and children over one year old, it eased cough a bit more than no treatment. Don't give honey to babies under one.
- Salt-water gargle: it can soothe a sore throat for a while, though studies on it are small.
- Zinc lozenges: some trials suggest they can shorten a cold by a day or so if started within about a day of the first symptoms. The results are mixed.
- Vitamin C: taking it regularly doesn't prevent colds in most people, but a large review found it shortened colds slightly. Starting it once you're sick doesn't seem to help much.
- Steam or a humidifier: warm air can loosen mucus and ease a stuffy nose, and the benefit is mostly about comfort.
- Fluids and sleep: these don't speed up the virus, but they make you feel much better while your body does the work.
See a doctor if a fever lasts more than three days, you have trouble breathing, or you feel better and then get much worse.
Micwyn· GuideAI filed this question in Health . Reason: Filed by topic when the question was asked.
· details or appeal
