First Defence or ColdZyme or..? Need your cold prevention remedies!

[RockNRollN]

I finish up work tomorrow a week or so and me, DH, and the kids are going away for a few days.

I've been working like a trojan to get through my work so I can log off tomorrow night and not think about work again until I'm back.

Now DS1 is sick and off school, DS2 started with a hacking cough this morning, DH is sounding nasally and I've got the beginnings of a sore throat and ear.

This ALWAYS happens to us at Easter. We have loads of amazing things planned and I cannot be ill. I take it worse than anyone in the house and I'm completely floored each and every time.

I ordered both First Defence and ColdZyme from Amazon to arrive today but they've changed the delivery to tomorrow so I'm sending DH on a mercy dash.

Do these work for you? Can you recommend anything else, or something to get us through should we all succumb to the lurgy?

They're both unlikely to have any evidence above placebo.

I use first defense at the start of a cold and it does knock it back. Takes a few days and fizzles out.

Only works on colds though, not any other virus. Something to do with it multiplying in the back of the throat.

First Defence every time. I swear by the stuff and keep a bottle in my work bag as well as in the medicine cabinet at home. Reckon it’s got a four-out-of-five success rate, which is good enough for me. Except I did once try it on the early onset of what turned out to be not a cold but instead a holiday-cancelling dose of Covid. Just make sure you keep up with the doses and keep taking it until you feel you’re clear. Good luck.

Gargle with TCP
Sinus Rinse, Nedimed
A good early night if possible

I was part of this trial, which shows some efficacy of first defence. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2024/07/overcounter-nasal-sprays-could-keep-colds-and-flu-at-bay-study-finds.page
Has definitely worked for me in keeping viruses shorter than they’d been in people round me

lipsomal vitamin c - check out mightykids im a fan

Anything with carregelose will reduce the amount of virus or bacteria that can cross your mucous membranes. The brand doesn't matter. The ingredient is carregelose.

Coldzyme is a different polymer but similar approach. All these new polymers that act in this way are significantly more effective than old style cold remedies.

Never heard of them.

I’m immunocompromised so get hit constantly and badly. You’re not going to be able to avoid it but maybe help it along.

My go to’s are:

Warm salt gargles multiple times a day to help sore throat and kill germs/infection - An aspirin gargle can work too.
Throat spray needs benzocaine
Keep fluids up, using rehydration salts to help boost hydration
Glucose tablets and or Power Kick (caffeine pills) to help energy and glucose levels
keep paracetamol topped up, don’t let it lapse, will help fight fever and keep pain to a minimum.
Sudofed or similar for sinuses
Vics vapour rub - I actually don’t like it but I do put it on my feet to help me sleep.
Fresh OJ can’t beat that vitimin C infusion
Lots of Honey, basically I add honey to anything and everything as it’s a natural antibiotic and virus fighter. Also helps sooth throat.

Id take a day or if you can 2 to try and fight off the worse, sleep as much as you can then try and start your plans a couple of days late. It’s better than trying to do everything only to make yourself feel worse.

Thanks folks. DH got me First Defence earlier so I've been taking that although it makes me feel like I've got the cold anyway! We shall see. I've ordered effervescent vit c to come with my food shop tomorrow and will start the ColdZyme when it arrives 😂 I will not be beaten!