OT: Colds

[AIR32]

Okay. I have had maybe a week total out of the past 2 months where I didnt have a cold or some cold symptoms. It is making me CRAZY!!

I work at an early childhood center with 4 year olds in the am and 21/2-3 year olds in the afternoon, so colds are expected, but for 2 months this is nuts!

Does anyone have any advice what I can do to maybe not be so likely to catch absolutely every cold that goes around? I have increased my vitamin c intake by alot, but mostly through my diet. But I am making tylenol rich buying the severe sinus pills they have, and boiling water for steam like 3x's a day. haha Im at a loss!! Any help would be appreciated!

[kam142]

I truly believe echinacea is a wonder pill for staving off colds. I get it from Holland and Barrett and take it when I feel a cold starting and touch wood it never develops into a full blown streaming head cold. Defi worth a go!

[beatlesgirl92]

Zinc works for me and my mum Holland and Barrett again

[AIR32]

Thank you so much! Do both of those work once the cold is in full force? I woke up this morning and its full blown sinus/throat infection

[kam142]

Not sure how effective they'll be once it's full blown but they might reduce the length it lasts. Vit C is certainly meant to help reduce symptoms so it might be worth trying one of the high dose soluble tablets once a day. Hope you feel better soon!

[AIR32]

Thank you!! I am sending my boyfriend to grab some emergen-c and oranges, see how that works out.

[kam142]

Good shout! Also steam inhalations and salt gargles always make me feel better too

[AoD]

I came across an article a while back that said zinc was effective for sore throats as treatment (not sure about prevention, be careful not to take too much, it can be toxic and very upsetting to the stomach) and that vitamin C was pretty useless (but it's harmless to take some, so go ahead). I use elderberry extract to fight colds and the flu, it works well, but you need to take it within 24 hours of the symptoms starting for it to work. Hopefully you will feel better soon!

[AIR32]

Thank you for all your advice!! The weekend was rough but am feeling more like a human today