Low level cold that wont feck off- how to make it go away?

[dizietsma]

I've been feeling a bit under the weather for about 3 weeks now. Started with a bit of random sudden onset dizziness, but has now settled into a bit of a cough, a little bit stuffed up, a little bit phlegmy, a little bit sneezy, a little tired.

I'm going away in a week and I don't want to still be sick like this, what are the best ways to get rid of a persistent cold? Vitamin C?

Could it be allergies/hay fever?

Could it be hayfever rather than a cold as it has gone on for so long ?

For colds I use things like Redoxon vitamin C, zinc, echinacea , Sambucol. Not sure if they do any good but generally we seem to get over colds quite quickly. Sambucol in particular is meant to have a scientifically tested anti-viral action and is now available in our local Tesco.

I always have hot water, honey, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a paracetamol - much cheaper (and IME more effective) than the over-the-counter so-called remedies out there.
My sister swears by her flu-fighter juice (you'll need a juicer!). juice together half a lemon, half a lime, half a grapefruit and half a pineapple. She has this when she first feels the cold coming on and it NEVER lasts more than a day or two.

"Could it be hayfever rather than a cold as it has gone on for so long ?"

I dunno... my dad has hayfever so I've got the gene for it, does it develop in adulthood? Also, would it give me a phlegmy chest? I thought hayfever was mostly nasal. Never heard of Sambucol, but I love elderberries so I'll check that out. Echinacea seems to have a limited effect on me.

My first thought was allergies too.

Yes it can give you a bit of a yucky chest.