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"Any time you see a Facebook, TikTok or Instagram post that is claiming to have a treatment for a common cold or a cure, scroll to the bottom and look to see what the source of that information is," he said. "And go backwards and be an internet sleuth, and make sure it's legit." Some social media posts share information about symptoms of both viruses, while others contain information about home remedies, which doctors warn can be dangerous. As parents and caregivers try to cope with the spread of flu, RSV and COVID-19 in what health experts are calling a "tripledemic," some may look online for treatment and prevention tips. The seasonality of influenza activity in temperate zones seems to suggest that influenza viruses prefer colder environments.
"If you're considering any alternative medicine, talk to your healthcare provider," says Austin. "Vitamins and supplements are not FDA-approved and there often isn't good research on their effectiveness. For a lot of people, it's trial and error to find what works best." Though there is no vaccine for colds, Desai added that there are vaccinations available for COVID-19 and the flu, and it’s important that you stay up-to-date on your vaccinations to help keep yourself healthy. If you have any health conditions, it’s also important to check with your doctor before starting any new over-the-counter medicines, Flores added.
Is It COVID, The Flu Or RSV? Here's How To Tell.
The idea that vitamin C can help with a cold isn’t new; it was popularized by the Nobel laureate Linus Pauling in the 1970s, which set off a surge in demand for the nutrient. Since then, scientists tied to the supplements industry have suggested that vitamin C helps support various functions, such as immune cells’ ability to find and fight off infection. This Viracid herbal supplement is something we have on hand all year. When we know we’ve been exposed to germs, as well as when we start to experience cold or flu symptoms, our family takes it as a precautionary measure.
If your sore throat is compounded by a cough, gargling with salt water may be helpful. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water and swish it around your mouth and the back of your throat for a few seconds before spitting it out. A quick onset of fever, aches, chills, and weariness, as well as a dry cough, sneezing, and sore throat, are all signs of the flu.
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All of the children got better, but honey consistently scored best in parents' rating of their children's cough symptoms. However, some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten the length of time you have symptoms. Vitamin C may benefit people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure — for example, children who attend group child care during the winter.
Bad breath and body odor are perhaps the most common side effects; however, dizziness, sweating, headache, fever, chills, and runny nose have also been reported. Large amounts may irritate the mouth or result in indigestion. Astragalus root has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen immunity and prevent colds and flu.
Salt Water Gargling
In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, ginger is also used for coughing and colds. A review by the Cochrane Collaboration examined whether vitamin C supplements in doses of 200 mg or more a day could reduce the incidence, duration, or severity of the common cold. The researchers analyzed 30 previously published studies that met their quality criteria. They found that vitamin C didn’t appear to prevent the common cold. There was a slight reduction in the length and severity of cold symptoms. Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms and decreased the duration of symptoms by three to four days.
The use of neti pots and nasal irrigation can be traced back thousands of years to Ayurvedic medicine. Much like gargling with salt water, nasal rinsing may help remove some virus and mucus from your body, while reducing the swelling that can cause congestion. One study published in 2019 showed that this process may help shorten the duration of illness as well as reduce the potential transmission of germs to others. In some studies, elderberry, a common ingredient in cold and flu syrups, particularly those aimed at young children, shortened the duration of symptoms when taken in advance of or immediately at the start of an illness. Elderberries contain potent antioxidants and chemicals known as anthocyanins, which have been shown in lab experiments to help immune function.
Here are the best natural cold-and-flu remedies:
Many cold and flu symptoms can be treated effectively withover-the-counter Theraflu products. They come in caplets, powders and liquids such asTheraflu ExpressMaxSevere Cold & Flu Syrupfor fast relief on the go. For a different approach to flu and cold symptom treatment, tryTheraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Hot Liquid Powderfor a steaming cup of soothing cold and flu symptom relief. Although recent findings question the use of echinacea for colds and flu, it’s still one of the most popular herbs used today.
Breathing in steam from a warm pot of water can help soothe your nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. Steam inhalation or steam therapy uses water vapor to help loosen mucous congestion. Colder, outdoor temperatures generally lower humidity in the air.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, "Zinc promotes immune functions and helps people resist infectious diseases." A 2018 study review out of the United Kingdom found that saline irrigation can help reduce congestion for folks with allergic rhinitis. The manuka syrup also contains olive leaf extract, which may help to regulate insulin and blood glucose for those concerned about the high natural sugar content of manuka honey. Many natural medications also support your immune system, which can help you better fight viruses.
Remember, serious conditions, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat, and asthma, can look like the common cold. If you have severe symptoms, or don't seem to be getting better, call your doctor. Looking for a natural or alternative treatment for your cold or flu symptoms? Old-fashioned topical ointments, such as vapor rub, appear to reduce nighttime cough in children older than 2 years. Just one or two applications before bed can help open air passages to combat congestion, reduce coughing, and improve sleep. Vapor rub is gaining traction among some doctors who encourage parents to avoid giving over-the-counter cold medicines to young children because of unwanted side effects.
The year-on-year increase in Japan's core consumer price index , which excludes volatile fresh food but includes energy costs, matched a median market forecast and followed a 3.6% rise in October. Patel said he warns parents to be wary of remedies that claim to be safe because they are "all natural." Both doctors said items like humidifiers, saline nasal sprays and nasal suctioning tools are all great to have on hand at home. "Parents are seeing these headlines about overfull hospitals and ERs, so parents are scared," said Patel. If you have a positive home COVID test and are just looking for treatment with paxlovid, please select the “COVID Antiviral Pill” with the booking link above.
Overdoing it on vitamin C supplements can lead to upset stomach and kidney stones. QuickCare Same-day convenient care right around the corner. “A lot of the lessons we learned with COVID are the things we should do when we have colds,” Flores said. When Flores is sick, she says she turns on her cool-mist humidifier, gets a big bottle of water and gets into bed. “Starting to really purposely drink anything other alcohol is great,” Flores said, adding that alcohol dehydrates you.
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