DD2 swears by raw apple cider vinegar (she buys Bragg) mixed in water with raw honey. About a tablespoon of each in warm water. Even her 4yo son has been drinking it since he was little. She will drink a cup + several times a day. If feeling really sick, she will take a large tablespoon of fresh garlic mixed with honey.

I've used Zicam for years (zinc lozenges), and if I do get a cold it shortens it dramatically.

Ditto the zinc, but you have to start taking it early on.

Just had a cold this week, too. Also around students and then last week DH and I had three large events that involved the public.

Really, nothing has been demonstrated scientifically to lessen the length of a cold. The only thing I find that helps the symptoms is Aleve-D and the other pseuodoephredrine types where you have to show ID at the pharmacy. The other ones just don't work as well. And sleep. Sleep makes me feel much better.

Neti pot at the first sign that I am getting one. Every couple of hours when I am not at school and it usually never turns into a full-fledged cold. I also take tons of vitamin C (building up to 10,000 mgs a day). That tends to clean out my system. ;) If you are already completely stuffed, the neti pot doesn't work as well for me. I use it during allergy season, too.

Zicam. I use the tablets. If I feel a sniffle or sore throat, I RUN to get some. It's THE priority. They sell out often, so I might have to go to three stores.

Just had a cold this week, too. Also around students and then last week DH and I had three large events that involved the public.

Really, nothing has been demonstrated scientifically to lessen the length of a cold. The only thing I find that helps the symptoms is Aleve-D and the other pseuodoephredrine types where you have to show ID at the pharmacy. The other ones just don't work as well. And sleep. Sleep makes me feel much better.

I take vitamin C throughout the day since it is water soluble and cold medicine at night before bed, to get a good nights rest. Let it all come out during the day. See a Dr. for antibiotics if nasal discharge is discolored, causing sinus/headache pain, if you're throwing up mucus, or running a fever 101 or higher. Lots of fluids and of course, some good home-made chicken noodle soon. I hope you're feeling better real soon.

Doctors are extremely reluctant to prescribe antibiotics for sinusitis, bronchitis, etc anymore due to drug-resistance. They want you to ride it out. The cold and flu are viral, and antibiotics should not be needed.

Vit C, Zinc (I take 15 mg), and Vit B complex. B, only earlier in the day, C and Zinc, twice a day; am and pm. Seems to help cut down on the # of colds. Might (MIGHT) help reduce severity (URI's and other viruses, eh).

Really, nothing has been demonstrated scientifically to lessen the length of a cold.

That is true but there are many studies that show what stop an oncoming cold from progressing.

No scientist here, but I do know from many years of experience that zicam will prevent a forming cold from moving into a full blown cold. Maybe an equal amount of zinc will do the same thing, I don't know.

But ziacam works for me if I take it immediately when cold signs first appear and take ti every 3 hours for two days.

You would think I was paid for this, but it works for me anyway.

Daisy, Move over! I'm climbing in the boat with you. Two weeks in and I have a cold too, very unusual for me. I've been loading up with Airborne, taking Nyquil Day and Night. Like you, I am angry at myself, but honestly, the beginning of school is always stressful, no matter how prepared I think I am. Learning the names, dealing with the changes in policies and procedures, well- that's the reality of life, no matter what you do for work. My students have Chromebooks and I am almost totally paperless, with a Google Classroom, but still I have to collect their "forms" from home, dirty germ catchers that they are! Hot tea, a nice warm bath and early to bed is my rx! Hope you feel better soon.

Cider Vinegar is part of my day..has been all summer..this cold is not fun. The worst part of starting the year..the germs the kiddos bring with them!!!

This will be no help to you now but may help for future colds. No idea if it is coincidental or if it really does work, but it seems to for me. I used to get one big cold/sinus infection every fall around the time the temperature starts to turn. A friend of mine mentioned that her mother, who works in a health food store, recommends olive leaf. The key, she said, was to take it at the first sign of a cold, and continue taking it. I always get a scratchy throat, watery/achy eyes at the beginning of a cold/sinus infection. I bought olive leaf (I use pill form) at Whole Foods and now take it every fall when I get those symptoms. I have not had a sinus infection or bad cold since I started this about four years ago. I also take a lot of vitamin C and make sure to stay hydrated. Again, this is to prevent the cold from developing so not sure if it helps once you have a full fledged cold. Hope you feel better soon.

I swear by Cold-Eeze which has zinc in it...suck it, don't chew. But it can change your taste buds temporarily so don't be surprised if food doesn't have much flavor while you're taking it.

Thanks everyone. Even if none of the "cures" work, your sympathy has made me feel better. I totally forgot about zinc. Not sure if it will do me any good at this point, but I'll get some tomorrow. Also, never heard of olive leaf. I'll have to see if they have it at the health food store. Is it an oil? I tried doing the raw ACV a while ago, but just got out of the habit. My DH is wandering around disinfecting everything behind me. My DD asked me to make supper and then took one look at me and said she'd do it. Not because she took pity on me, but just because she didn't want to risk infection, I'm sure.

Magic socks! Ok, I haven't personally tried this yet, but saved it a few weeks back. A friend tried it recently and said it seemed to help.

The method is simple. You warm your feet, place ice cold cotton socks on them, pull on some thick wool socks over that, and get to bed!

magic socks - more info

I also load up on vitamin C every few hours throughout the day.

I hope you start feeling better soon!

But it can change your taste buds temporarily so don't be surprised if food doesn't have much flavor while you're taking it.

Which can be helpful if you are trying to lose weight. :)

Zicam nasal swabs and mega chewable vitamin c.

No cure, but makes you feel like a human being.

If you are going traveling or have an important test or are getting married, on trial for your life, etc. you can try to get a script for Tamiflu. It works if you take it during the first 48 hours.

Well, I woke up this morning feeling quite a bit better (I can breathe at least). I've been taking the oil of oregano, mega Vit. C, and last night on your recommendation I took zinc (only had pills not Zicam specifically) and did a saltwater rinse (didn't have a netipot, but same diff I think). Not getting married or writing an exam, just have 20 rambunctious 6 year olds to deal with and a meeting with an overly anxious parent this morning, so I do appreciate all the suggestions.

Zicam is clinically proven to reduce the severity and shorten the common cold. They make an allergy version that is good too. I can't remember the last time I had a cold (hope I'm not gonna regret typing that!), but at the first FEELING of something coming on, I've taken zicam. The airborne stuff seems to help me too. Be careful with mega doses of Vitamin C, it can cause tummy distress; and tamiflu is for influenza, not the common cold. Also, it is prescription only and again, can cause tummy distress.

Ragweed is high here, so allergies are raging! Hope those of you with colds feel better soon. I agree with pampering yourself, getting lots of rest and some comfort food/measures.

Well, I'd like to recommend the Sammich of Death! It has never failed me. At the first sign of a cold, put 1 heaping tablespoon each of chopped garlic, chopped ginger, and Chinese mustard -- the kind you get from a restaurant, not the lily-livered stuff in a jar -- on a cracker or piece of bread (or in a cup of broth). Then eat it. When you recover consciousness, you will find your sinuses are miraculously clear and all the viruses have fled your body. I have occasionally had to resort to a second sammich if I didn't catch the cold fast enough.

One of the side benefits is that no one else will catch your cold, because they won't get close to you.

There's also Sambucol, an elderberry extract that apparently has been clinically proven to shorten colds, but you must take it early on.

I didn't read all the responses, but my husband uses hot tea and honey and it works for him. As for me, I depend on drugs. I like Advil Cold and Sinus.

That reminds me-lemon ginger tea. Delicious and the ginger and vitamin c are good.

glad you are feeling a little better. Four teachers on my hall were complaining about feeling rotten with colds this morning. We are surrounded by darling little walking germ carriers.

cyn, I am sipping on some right now. It is soooo soothing.

Yup, little germ carriers, but when I went to school this morning with my raspy voice, they all came to give me hugs and sympathy (and probably more germs). Can't beat that :)

Tamiflu is an anti-viral medication. It works on viruses that aren't influenza, per se.

Not trying to argue with you kswl, I know it is anti-viral, but I have never heard of it being used for anything other than flu. I know in our area it is sometimes hard to get (in a bad flu season), and i can't imagine a doctor giving a script for a cold? This is from the tamiflu website:

"Prescription TAMIFLU® (oseltamivir phosphate) is a medicine for flu treatment and flu prevention in adults and children. "

Zinc really does help. You can buy it in pill form for pretty cheap. My husband has to take it daily, anyway, for other reasons, and he NEVER gets a cold. I just pop a pill or two a day at first sign of a cold, and it rarely gets very bad. (My allergies are a whole other issue, though.) You may just be able to take zinc daily....check into it, since you are a teacher. Sorry you are feeling sick! :(

I swear by Advil Allergy Sinus. Do not get the Advil Cold and Sinus, get the Advil Allergy Sinus. The Advil Allergy Sinus dries everything up. I can't stand the runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. If I can stop that, I start to feel better.

At the FIRST sign of the niggling burning behind the eyes, I start taking Echinacea. I take 4 capsules every time I pass the bathroom. Cold gone. Haven't had to lay in bed for years! (Knock on wood....)