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?

That’s a meta analysis of studies ranging 2-5 months, looking at people taking regular vitamin c. I was talking about the lack of evidence for the benefit of taking it once symptoms start.

Yes, I agree. I use the Neilmed Sinus Rinse squeezy bottle, as much easier for me than a netipot. I also gargle with the leftover solution remaining in the bottle.

It didn't fully stop my recent oncoming cold, but it didn't take hold. Just a runny nose/ mild congestion.

I used this once and my cold was the worst cold I ever had and lasted ages !!
I don't know why or how but never used it again
Edit spelling mistakes

Nasal rinsing morning and night with sterile salt water works wonders stops germs in your nose !! Also I srat drinking those fizzy tablet drinks from September to April with vitamins c and zinc

Just hydration, fruit, some honey or honey lozenges and paracetamol and I normally knock it on the head!

Another vote for Echinacea drops! I always used to have horrible colds/coughs all year round. I now usually only have one in the winter and even that clears up quickly. I take them at first sign of a cold which for me is sore throat and symptoms usually just go away.

You are winning at life. I'm jealous!

It was an interesting hypothesis and some studies have showed that certain ingredients in mouthwash can kill the COVID virus in a test tube. But these results have not been replicated in a human body. Any reduction in viral load in the mouth is temporary at best and has no effect on the course of the illness.

Even a one off dose of zinc could cause issues. The recommended daily limit in the UK is 25mg so I would be cautious about recommending taking triple that.

There’s a media report today confirming this. But, apparently there’s some evidence that gurgling with salt water and/or a nasal saline rinse helps. Can’t link to article as it’s behind a paywall.

Yes, I do it all the time with first defence nasal spray. As long as I catch it straight off it never develops.

It does help me. That saline water spray stuff Sterimar doesn’t stop mine but it does shorten them if I start on the stuff quickly.

I prefer Boots Dual Defence nasal spray rather than First Defence. It works well if I use it as soon as I feel a tickle in my nose.

Yes I find the Boots own version of First Defence is less stingy. There’s also evidence that using a saline/sea water rinse or nasal spray can help.

I use before I get on airplanes (also a cream that you rub round the nose) and public transport and also after.

Both DH and DS had a cold this week and I managed to avoid (and I did get a tickle) with First Defence. I also had some Sambucol and propolis throat spray but don’t know how much they helped.

Rest is also hugely important if you feel like you are coming down with something.

I’m always starving when I’m feeling a cold coming on and only want to eat sweets! Sorry to say that I stuff myself with junk…..

Vick’s first defence nasal spray - use at first signs of a cold.
Effervescent vit c and zinc tablet in a glass of water
Lemsip drink

It’s the nasal spray that makes most difference though and I’ve read that even a plain saline spray can help, and can even be preventative.

Also vote for echinacea and first defense (or boots dual defense equally as effective) I also swear by a D3/K2 supplement year round

I am very happy that I have it, my whole childhood I wished we had one at home.

Sleep

First Defence all the way.

I’m feeling pretty much the same! Sore throat, bit achy, tiring easily. I’m hitting it with everything, innocent smoothie (citrus defence is often on offer), garlic and ginger in stir fry and kiwi fruit. Here’s hoping!

Raw grated ginger and tumeric with some lemon and honey in boiling water
Works every time .

First Defence spray sees most of mine off.

Agree - this is great. You have to take it super early yhough, at the very first sign or else too late.

I used to work with someone who went to the steam room at the local gym every time she got a cold so I assumed the worst when I read your post. Sorry.

Astragalus Root Extract 1-2 500mg caps- traditional TCM herb, but increasing research shows its role in upregulating and downregulating certain Interleukins, which are key in the immune response, especially inflammatory cytokines - which make you feel crap, achey and stupid

Beta Glucans 1-2 500mg tablets per day

Elderberry extract but the Sambucol liquid is so expensive and massively under-dosed, compared to something like 10:1 powder capsules

5000iu Liquid Vitamin D ideally in MCT oil for max bioavailability

The first two are immuno-stimulators and can definitely make you feel jittery at time - especially Astragalus. I combine these 2 for a time-limited treatment - in terms of preventing full onset or shift persistent colds, they have oomph that Echinacea lacks

The only issue is they are not clinically-approved or fully researched as of yet, but IME they are definitely more potent than Elderberry or Echinacea.

YMMV and a considered Risk - Reward ratio applies !