Cough and cold prevention/cures please!!

[Merrychristmasyoufilthyanimals]

I have a colleague cougging and spluttering away, none stop sniffing and sneezing....

So I'm guessing the chances of me catching it are v.high! Not in the mood to catch one for christmas plus i'm away to italy from Boxing day grrrrrrr!

Feel free to add your preventions/cures here so i can get prepared.

No way pf prevention really, but washing hands and cleanlinesd might minimise it.

Chicken soup might help you feel better and hot toddy will help you not care if you feel really rough but obvs cant have that at work. Painkillers at the ready.

its my first holiday in ten years! wah!

i wouldnt be so bothered if it wasnt our turn to have the kids (my Dp and DSS/dsd) for xmas christmas.

Sods law i'll catch it and just have to grin and bear it. xx

Cold and flu pills? Can you get those in the UK?

ye, we have like lemsip and stuff.

Wash hands regularly, multi-vitamin tablets and start taking echinacea tablets now, I am convinced latter at least reduces severity and length of colds. Perhaps try First Defence spray, I think there are suggestions online for making own. Hope you swerve it and enjoy your holiday.

echinacea has been sweared by by my mother- will stock up later

First Defence might work if you start immediately and use it properly, ie - don't inhale, just squirt it into your nose and squish it around so it can trap any viruses you breathe in. Repeat frequently.

If you do catch it, nothing is more effective than paracetamol, hot drinks and rest. (Hot toddy excellent suggestion, honey & lemon good if you have a sore throat). Maybe a snort of Sinex at bedtime if your blocked nose keeps you awake.

Make sure you have plenty of easy comfort food in. Soups, stews and casseroles that can be quickly heated up and some tasty bread to dip in it.

thank you hearmesnore its generally the time i've been so annoyed at a colleague for being ill!

i'm going to get an early night tonight despite so much needing to get done for xmas. need my defences to be strong

Start taking vitamin D3 in the Autumn (3000 - 5000 iu). As soon as you feel the first tingle of a cold starting, take echinacea drops.

Tumeric and ginger and lemon.Tastes foul but if I take it as soon as the first sneeze or sore throat it clears it up
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground ginger
Half fresh lemon squeezed
Half glass of water. Keep stirring until you've drank it all.

Wear a mask like they do in Japan

Really good handwashing, and wearing a mask.

Eating ginger etc does shit to stop you catching a virus

Definitely agree with First Defence spray and PPs description of how to use it. When I use it it really shortens my colds and symptoms are much milder. I work with snotty children so need it a lot!