How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

The first symptoms of a cold, such as tiredness, runny nose, fever, and fatigue, can be a wake-up call not to be underestimated. Science says preventing and blocking the evolution of colds and flu is possible by intervening promptly.

Let’s see together how to stop colds fast with these remedies preventing evolution, accelerating complete healing, and strengthening the immune defenses.

How To Get Rid of a Coldfast

Given that it is not a serious pathological state, it is possible in any case to reduce the symptoms of a cold with some simple tricks and precautions. These remedies, if implemented from the beginning of the onset of the first symptoms, can prevent us from running into complications and seeing the cold last longer than expected.

Salt water gargle

Prevention is better than cure, you know. Among the home remedies to be adopted at the first appearance of cold symptoms is the infallible one of salt.

Yes, gargling with water to which a teaspoon of salt has been added can help make the mucus formed in the respiratory tract fluid, leading to cough and cold.

Preparing this cold remedy is very simple. It is, in fact, sufficient to take a glass of not hot but lukewarm water and add some salt, and gargle for about 30 seconds.

Remember to repeat the gargle several times a day, taking care in any case not to swallow the salt water!

As an alternative to water with salt, you can buy a saline spray solution at the pharmacy, which is ideal for helping the respiratory tract to decongest while at the same time preventing the formation of mucus. Using a saline-based spray to be injected directly into the nasal cavities gives a feeling of immediate relief.

You can use it to prevent mucus formation and decongest the nose when the first cold symptoms appear.

Hot ginger and lemon tea

A real panacea to relieve the symptoms of cold states is hot herbal teas based on ginger, a root with countless decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hot herbal teas are easy to prepare and are to be taken strictly when the first flu symptoms appear and are useful for immediately relieving congestion of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the nasal cavities and mucous membranes.

Just boil some water and mix it with a good amount of fresh ginger, equal to about four or five tablespoons, then add a little cinnamon and lemon in slices or juice to taste.

The presence of citrus fruit is essential since, as is well known, it is rich in Vitamin C, a precious ally of the organism precisely when the immune system needs support.

Drinking ginger and lemon herbal teas while still hot is vital, but it is also possible to use the vapors and beneficial fumes it releases, inhaling them as if they were a homemade aerosol.

Eat fruits and vegetables

More than a cold remedy, this is an always valid recommendation and a real grandmother’s remedy for low immune defenses. Maintaining an active lifestyle and eating properly can help our body overcome the attacks of viruses and bacteria, including the cold and flu, in season.

It is important to take at least five servings of fruit and vegetables during the day. The nutrients and vitamins in them are natural anti-inflammatories, which will help the body to be strong and healthy, able to cope better with cold symptoms and complications.

Among the vegetables that science considers a real cure-all against colds is garlic, whose natural anti-inflammatory substances strengthen the immune system and predispose the body to a quick recovery.

Although we have already mentioned them, it is worth remembering citrus fruits, oranges, lemons, mandarins, and bergamots, which are able, thanks to Vitamin C, to reduce the duration of colds and alleviate the symptoms and severity.

Observe a proper rest from work and housework

When you feel the first symptoms of a cold, it is important to stay at home, cover yourself up and switch off from work tasks.

To accelerate the healing process and avert the cold from prolonging for days on end, you should rest as much as possible. Try to stay in bed and postpone commitments and chores to attend to.

The body at rest will recover the forces necessary to ward off the cold more quickly, ensuring a fast and definitive recovery.

Contact your employer or take a day or two of vacation, perhaps asking to work remotely in smart working. Days of absolute rest will benefit the body and mind and prepare the body to heal quickly.

Take targeted medications and supplements

In case of fever, chills, headache and other cold-related symptoms, you can take so-called NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are pain relievers that relieve cold symptoms.

Before taking them, read the instruction leaflet carefully to ensure you respect the correct dosage. In case of suspicions, you can contact your doctor who will give you explanations about it.

In any case, do not overdo the medicines and do not exceed the recommended doses.

As for the supplements, you can safely buy them at the pharmacy, preferring those that enhance the immune system’s defenses. These are very common preparations that contain vitamins, natural extracts, and mineral salts such as Zinc and Magnesium, which are useful to get back in shape and health.

Stay hydrated

During the first cold symptoms, it is important to remember to stay hydrated. Dehydration of the body can lead to a progressive worsening of the cold. Remember to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water throughout the day, perhaps alternating fruit juices, tea and other non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks.

Avoid coffee, if possible, as it could dehydrate the body. Drinking a lot of water during a cold, especially at the first symptoms, will help dissolve the mucus and phlegm present in the nasal passages, relieving the congestion of the same.

Cover up well and avoid sudden changes in temperature

It seems obvious, but it is always good to remember. Do not neglect your clothing during the first cold symptoms, especially during the winter season.

Do not wear too light or heavy outfits, and above all, avoid sudden changes in temperature that can become traumatic for the body.

Remember to cover your throat and ears well and to wear appropriate footwear that insulates your foot from outside temperature, rain, etc.

We have seen some simple recommendations to observe when the first cold symptoms appear and how to get rid of them fast.

With little care and caution, it is possible to prevent the cold from worsening, thereby safeguarding our health and helping us get back to health and shape as soon as possible.