The Common Cold

Oct. 15, 2026 | The saying “feed a cold, starve a fever” dates back to the 1500s when the notion of avoiding hot food while dealing with a high temperature seemed appropriate. Modern science has shown that you should feed both a cold and a fever as fighting any illness raises the body’s metabolism and calorie needs. The common cold has produced a number of uncommon and potentially dangerous therapeutic options. Centuries ago, physicians believed using leeches to draw blood would cure the fever and congestion associated with bad colds. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common to drink heavy amounts of rum or wine to “sweat out” a cold. In reality, alcohol severely dehydrates the body and weakens the immune system. When you’re sick, you don’t have much of an appetite because your immune system is focusing its energy on fighting the cold. But good nutrition is important every day and helps when you’re sick.

Oct. 15, 2026 | If you have a cold, you can expect to be sick anywhere from one to two weeks. But that doesn’t mean you have to feel awful the entire time. There are certain things you can do to relieve your cold symptoms. First off, drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey will help loosen stuffiness, better known as congestion. These also help prevent losing too much fluid, called dehydration. Don’t drink alcohol, coffee and sodas with caffeine as they can make dehydration worse. Many cultures use warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, for colds. Warm liquids might ease stuffiness by increasing mucus flow. Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age one. Try it in warm tea or lemon water. There’s a misconception that milk increases phlegm. It doesn’t, and milk is a great source of protein and is packed with electrolytes, so don’t hesitate to drink it.

Oct. 15, 2026 | One of the most important things you can do if you have a cold is to get plenty of rest because your body needs extra energy to make white blood cells and proteins that kill germs. Most of us lie in bed when we’re sick, which can lead to poor mental health and feelings of being discouraged or disconnected. Depression can mimic cold symptoms, which can make your infection seem worse. Unfortunately, your body needs rest to heal but you should talk to your doctor before undertaking any kind of strenuous exercise. Low activity can help make you feel better. Take a light walk outside with the sunlight on your face for five to ten minutes. Do what makes you feel comfortable to deal with your symptoms. Generally, you don’t need to see a doctor about a cold. But if you’re experiencing a high fever and wheezing after a few days, schedule an appointment with a health care professional near you.

Oct. 15, 2026 | Sore throats often accompany a common cold because the virus causes inflammation at the back of your throat. A stuffy nose leaks mucus down the back of your throat and this extra liquid irritates the sensitive lining further. And a stuffy nose forces you to breathe through your mouth, which leads to dry air passing over your throat and making the soreness worse. If you have a sore throat, gargling with salt water can relieve it for a short while. A quarter or half of a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of warm water will do the trick. You also can try ice chips, sore throat sprays, lozenges or hard candy but take care when giving lozenges or hard candy to children because they can choke on them. Dry air causes less mucus by removing the moisture in your nose, which can make you more prone to infection. So, it’s important to keep your nasal passages hydrated especially during the winter as it’s a normal cleansing action.

Oct. 15, 2026 | It turns out the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has some truth in it. One extra serving of fruits or vegetables a day can improve your immune system’s power. Studies have shown that vitamin C sourced from vegetables, fruit and leafy greens increases your body’s immune response. Fresh vegetables carry more cold-preventing vitamins than processed foods. While taking vitamin C has not been shown to prevent colds, studies have shown that taking it before cold symptoms start may shorten how long the symptoms last. If you do have a cold, be sure to read the label of any over-the-counter medications you take. Some cold remedies have mixed ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever. If you also take a pain reliever, taking a decongestant with a pain reliever could cause problems. Read the labels of cold medicines to make sure you’re not taking too much of any specific medication.