Cold Season

[RoadToad]

OK I'm saying this not based on my past nursing experience, but on what doctors since then have drilled into my head because I thought I knew so **** much and was self-medicating :

Respiratory infections of any kind, cold, bronchitis, whatever, generally start off as viral infections, and no, antibiotics won't help. There are antiviral drugs out there, but you have to start them EARLY, or you've missed the boat, and they won't do any good. The best thing you can do at this point is just rest and drink lots of fluids. The WORST thing you can do is take stuff like Dayquil or other OTC cold meds that dry up your secretions. Gross as it may be, that stuff coming out of your head has viruses in it, and you want it to come out. So if you're going to take something, take something like Mucinex that thins them out. I stocked up on it at Costco while I still could on my HSA, and I may get more this Thursday when the coupon comes out. We use the DM 'cause it'll suppress a dry cough. And people talk a lot about "drinking a lot of fluids," but few of us really do it. It's probably the most important thing of all, and basically what it means is, don't walk past the kitchen without pouring and drinking a glass of water. If you wait until you're thirsty, then you're already dehydrated. Yes, you're going to pee more, but it really does make a noticeable difference in how fast you recover.

Once you've had the infection, and your airways have been all inflamed for a while, then they're more susceptible to infection, and you may end up with a bacterial infection on top of it, and of course you might need antibiotics at that point.

Oh, you asked about home remedies. I saw something on TV not long ago about how great that old fashioned home remedy honey is. They had people rate their symptoms before and after taking honey, and before and after taking cold medicine, and the results for honey were the same if not better. I take mine in the form of Southern Comfort. As sweet as it is, I know there's honey in there somewhere! Plus it's made right here in Louisville, so I'm supporting the local economy.

Hope you feel better soon. But we know what this really is, and excuse to stay home and play Black Ops!

[DJD]

Tim.....if I could drink I would! I get all tight in the chest and flushed and was told I am allergic to alcohol so I have to sip it real slow if at all!

RT......thats some good info and your right because I'm getting up at least once an hour hitting the bathroom. I do have that dry unproductive cough and it's killing my throat when I get into one of those coughing fits. I'm gonna pick up some of that Mucinex Dm to see if that helps me.

Black Ops lol! Man I am on the Campaign in the top mode and I really think I have found a spot that I'm not good enough to get through. I played it in two other modes so I know what to do it's just you can't take the damage in this mode.

[zx150]

Mucinex D and lots of Bourbon!

[Chubminnow]

Mucinex D and lots of Bourbon!

Ok Don...my non-alcoholic friend. Even though I think bourbon is the key here's something else to try...Honey!!! At least it'll help with a sore throat if you've been coughing due to sinus drainage, chest cold, head cold or what have you.

Add honey, lemon juice and a pinch of salt to warm water and gargle or sip to ease the inflamation associated with a cold or flu...in addition to relief, honey also helps kill certain bacteria that's at the root of the infection.

Gee man, bad way to start the new year...get well soon!

[DJD]

Well looks like I have a very bad cold and Bronchitis. My symptoms of wheezing, sneezing, coughing, honking up some nice stuff, aching, chills, painful throat and overall feeling of crap will be fixed soon. I'm on antibiotics, steroids and codein cough med for bedtime.

I took my first dose last night and felt better within 5 hours. Is that possible? My aches and chills were pretty much gone as I laid there watching the Sugar Bowl.

I don't feel great but wow! Its better than it was....jeez this is a nasty cold!

That was the first time I had a Flu swab and I hope it's my last. When she pushed that swab way up each nostril I about said a dirty word....well I did but she understood. No flu was the good news.

Thanks to all for the helpful hints!

[HURRICANEBOB]

1. Can Campbell's chicken noodle soup plus 1 tablespoon garlic powder.
2. Cup of hot tea, Lipton tea bag, add 1 tablespoon of honey and three squirts of Real Lemon Juice.
3. 1 hour more sleep per night than you were getting before.
4. 1 more layer of clothing, but avoid overheating.
5. 18 ounce glass of Cranberry or Apple Juice per day.

Any combo or all. more the better.

[kygorski]

An old tried and true home remedy. Tall glass of hot tea, with a couple of tbs of honey, also about 4 ounces of rum. A heavy dose of vicks vapo rub, chest area, musinex, put on a sweat shirt go to bed.If this is done twice usually the chest congesti0n breaks up.