Can you kill a cold before it takes?

[ShakyBake]

Feel a bit sore throaty and that a cold is about to hit but also feel like it's not taken over yet, like I'm on top of it. Is it possible to actually fight a cold off before it fully takes?

Have been eating extra well with lots of veg and high quality protein and just had a fizzy vitimin. What else can I do?

First Defence works for me but I spray it as instructed and keep it up for a good few days.

also, I go to some fairly big events where there’s often 50+ people at them and in the winter months I tend to give myself a spray before I go and when I get back

Same - I think it was the turmeric that was supposed to be the “magic” ingredient here!

This. Water and rest is the only way.

Raw garlic and antihistamines.

Vicks first defence.

Swimmers never leave home without it!

The Vicks First Defence tastes absolutely ghastly as it runs down the back of your throat and the menthol makes it feel really uncomfortable on my mucus membranes (sorry for gross terminology so early in the morning 🙈).
The Boots own brand version - Dual Defence is not only cheaper but MUCH nicer to use (hardly any ‘flavour’) and I’ve found it to be more effective.

I’m in a job with HUGE amounts of contact with people, especially seasonally - last winter I used the Dual Defence several times a week and somehow got through without a single cold. Obviously could be other factors but I swear by it. Both for prevention and clobbering the start of a cold at the first prickle of the nose.

www.boots.com/boots-dual-defence-nasal-spray-20ml-10220406

Grated ginger, lemon and honey in hot water. Find it really helps keep a cold at bay.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8

Vicks First Defense!!! Really works, spray up your nose for a few days if you’ve been exposed or at early signs like sneezing. It’s brilliant!

Do you have your own private sauna or are you happy to share your germs with everyone else there?

Please don't do this OP.

You can kill off a cold with your immune system.

All these other remedies may help ease symptoms but they won't fight the underlying virus. Rest, stay hydrated and hope for the best...

I remember reading last year in New Scientist that if you take 75–80 mg of zinc within the first 24 hours of symptoms starting that it's been shown to reduce the cold by one day.
I normally use one of those nasal sprays as they help, and a mouth wash as I remember with COVID that mouthwash was recommended by an anaesthetist, in Bournemouth hospital, to stop it travelling to your chest, Dentyl and Listerine both killed COVID. I think sleep is probably the best course of action though.

Evidence on the effectiveness of zinc is mixed. It can cause some unpleasant side effects so I wouldn't recommend it.

Mouthwash won't kill a virus or stop it travelling to your chest. This is nonsense.

Me too. Blooming miraculous stuff.

Following!

I use First Defence spray, drink loads of water, and start taking paracetamol and Ibroprofen. I get the antibacterial wipes out and make sure all the door handles and light switches are clean (should probably do this more) so I’m not picking up other people’s germs. I also increase the handwashing routine. Not that I don’t wash my hands but I’m just extra careful.

I think you can by taking a high dose of vitamin C

Do a sinus rinse with salt and bicarbonate 3-4 times a day at the very first sign. It’s proven to reduce cold severity and duration by a few days. You’ll need a squirt bottle or a neti pot.

Eating a piece of the garlic and a tea spoon of honey gets rid of it for me. Works every time!

First defence or ColdZyme

I'm not an expert, this is what I read.
Dr Lloyd-Jones explains: "The lung disease of COVID-19 is in the blood vessels, not in the airways. The virus enters the nose and replicates in the mouth. A single teaspoon of saliva contains 500 million copies of the virus. The virus could easily leak from your saliva into the blood vessels of the mouth, especially if you have gum disease or bleeding gums. The virus would then be passed directly to the lungs via the bloodstream exactly to the areas where it does the most damage. There are everyday oral hygiene steps which might reduce the virus in the mouth and saliva, and lower the risk of it spreading to the lungs."
Link to information
And the zinc is a one off dose.

I use anti viral nasal sprays to prevent colds etc but if I get a niggle cos I forgot my nasal spray, I use either boots or First Defence cold/flu stop. They work a treat!!!

A few folks have mentioned curry and I would add that I think Thai curries are particularly good for helping to blast a cold out. The garlic and ginger and heat feels helpful for the sinuses. Plus Thai curry is delicious. (I’m sure someone will come along and say there is no scientific evidence and I’m sure they’d be right, but it feels good, even if it doesn’t actually do anything).

I do have my own private sauna

THIS.

Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray.

I swear by this. Each time I feel I am coming down with something I start to use this and it seems to stop it in its tracks.

I always keep one in the house now just in case.