Fighting cold symptoms, but not the cold (sinuses, infections, sore)

[robertpasa]

All those products like Nyquil or Mucinex - they lessen the symptoms of a common cold. But they do nothing to stop how much the virus is in your body, is that right?

There is no cure for the common cold, although some believe that eating Vitamin C will shorten the cold. Apart from that, you can only fight the symptoms and not really fight the cold virus itself, eh?

[Deserterer]

I believe there is evidence (and by that I mean real, non-anecdotal evidence) that zinc shortens the duration of a cold by a day or so, but it doesn't affect the intensity. I don't remember the details but when you take it is important...if you wait until the cold is already well established its too late.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Deserterer

I believe there is evidence (and by that I mean real, non-anecdotal evidence) that zinc shortens the duration of a cold by a day or so, but it doesn't affect the intensity. I don't remember the details but when you take it is important...if you wait until the cold is already well established its too late.

Zinc taken at the first hint of a cold can hamper the virus's ability to embed itself in the mucus membranes of your respiratory tract. Once the virus has taken hold not so much.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t%20and%20nose.

There is evidence that black elderberry can provide a kick for your immune response which helps you fight infections.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-be...0common%20cold.

My go-to when I sense some bug is getting the upper hand is eat carefully, extra water, go to bed early, suck on simple zinc lozenges and a daily spoonful of a black elderberry supplement such as Sambucol for a couple of days. If the bug progresses further I may or may not start treating the symptoms. At that point, the zinc and elderberry don't help much, similar to vitamin C.

[Ariadne22]

My go-to for the past 15 years at least is elderberry extract syrup - Sambucus Immune - which I get from Swanson - which is juiced up w/zinc, Vit C, echinacea and bee propolis.

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/na...8-fl-oz-liquid

Two/three doses of that over one or two days, any symptoms of cold, sore throat, whatever are GONE. Gave some to a houseguest a few months back who picked up something at an outpatient medical facility. Two days, all symptoms disappeared.

The stuff is killer. I haven't had a cold since I discovered this stuff. When I worked, I kept a supply at my desk, never got sick even though bugs were flying in the huge office I worked. People commented on it.

Can't say enough good things about this product. Right now I've got two unopened bottles, one opened bottle in the house. It keeps forever and does not lose its effectiveness, long past any expiration day.

The key is to take at the FIRST SIGN of a cold/flu. Sneezing too much, runny nose, a bit of congestion, sore throat - two/three, maybe four doses of Sambucus Immune and whatever is trying to take hold goes away.

I also keep ColdEeze (zinc) lozenges and Ricola Lozenges w/Echinacea on hand, but since I never get sick, have little use. I do find that sometimes, one or two Ricola's will knock out the beginnings of a sore throat and Sambucus isn't needed.

Just today I was a bit sneezy, sinuses felt a bid odd, throat a bit sore, so took a dose and will do another before I go to bed even though I feel good right now. One can also take a daily dose prophylactically, but I've never done that.

[Ghaati]

Without treating the symptoms:

It'll take 3 days for your body to "incubate" the virus, before you show any symptoms at all.
It'll take 3 days from the onset of the first symptoms to the end of the last symptom.
It'll take 3 days after the last symptom for the virus to leave your system.

If you treat the symptoms, or try to treat the cold itself:

It'll take approximately 1 week plus 2 days to clear.

[robertpasa]

Whenever I get a cold, this happens:
on the first day, I have only a sore throat. No other symptoms.
After that, the sore throat is gone and I have congestion/coughing.

Why would that happen?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

Whenever I get a cold, this happens:
on the first day, I have only a sore throat. No other symptoms.
After that, the sore throat is gone and I have congestion/coughing.

Why would that happen?

Such an easy question to answer. The body's response to invasion by a cold virus creates a progression of symptoms. Different stages during the process tend to exhibit different symptoms. Not everyone will go through all of them. Why not do a bit of reading for yourself? Lots of information online.