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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ needs your avoiding/surviving winter sniffles advice and tips.

135 replies

AbbyMumsnet · 13/01/2009 15:29

It's that time of year when the lurgies hit with a vengeance. So, regardless of whether you've survived unscathed so far or spent New Year's Eve under the duvet, clutching a hot water bottle, we'd appreciate your advice/tips etc on how to avoid colds, sniffles et al - and how to lessen the impact if you or your family does get hit by a horrible bug. What weird concoctions do you take? Cider vinegar? Sambucol? Whiskey? Do you swear by echinacea or some other strange herb grown in a yurt? And what happens in your home if ebola, sorry, we mean man-flu, strikes your poor partner becomes ill? Do world's collide? Do let us know your thoughts.

Thanking you kindly.

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 13/01/2009 17:28

stay away from children!!!

Podrick · 13/01/2009 17:37

Wash your hand a lot to avoid colds and other bugs

Those of you who catch a lot of bugs are clearly not doing enough hand washing you filthy beasts

cocolepew · 13/01/2009 17:38

Vicks cures all known ailments.

I read an article by a boffin from the Cold Research Thingy said that when you feel a cold coming on have a hot bath.

Wear a scarf.

hanaflower · 13/01/2009 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaHumbug · 13/01/2009 17:41

vit C + zinc(1000mg)
Echinacea

And some throat wsweets which the name escapes me - made from inside the beehives (not honey)

honey and lemon.

Get someone to look after the children for the duration of illness chance'd be a fine thing!

RiaParkinson · 13/01/2009 17:42

stay in

hanaflower · 13/01/2009 17:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RiaParkinson · 13/01/2009 17:44

not joking

My life has been so busy for the last six months since giving birth to my sixth child that i have barely socilaised - being on the ocd end of a normallish spectrum (!) i wash my childrens hand s a lt and touching lots of wood we have been pretty sniffle free all winter

Horton · 13/01/2009 17:50

Propolis is brilliant for avoiding colds in the first place. Get capsules because it smells exactly like you'd expect ground up bees to smell.

milou2 · 13/01/2009 18:04

Nibbling an apple in the night when I wake with a tickly cough works for me.

solo · 13/01/2009 18:10

Keep lips from becoming chapped by applying Melrose or wearing lipstick during the day and Melrose at night. The theory behind this is that IME, once I get a cracked/chapped lip, I get a cold. Keep then from cracking = no colds.
If I get a sore throat etc, I overdo the VitC for a few days.
Dispose of dirty tissues by burning them and wash hands after using a tissue on your nose.
I use Vicks or Vaporub on the soles of feet to stop coughing at night, it really helps. I use pure essential lavender oil on pillows too.

solo · 13/01/2009 18:14

Slice and boil in water fresh lemons and add honey, then drink throughout the day. Lots of garlic in food or capsules(I use fresh in food).

JJ · 13/01/2009 18:29

Flu jab, flu jab, flu jab. Our local pharmacy now does them for free for everyone, all you need to do is be registered at a local gp surgery. This year's most prevalent flu strain is in this year's jab.

Benylin Day and Night for me when I've got a bad cold and I gargle hot salt water when I get a sore throat. And drink lots of tea and water and enough sleep.

I have a humidifier for the boys' bedrooms when they get coughy. Or I put a wet towel on the radiator in their room with a bit of Olbas oil. They need more sleep, too.

Agree wholeheartedly with avoiding the doctor as much as possible. Too many sick people there!

MaHumbug · 13/01/2009 18:30

Thanks Horton - Propolis tablets!

Monkeytrousers · 13/01/2009 18:40

good multivitamins seem to help us. DS always gets a cold even though he eats loads of fruit and veg but taking a multi-vit does seem to help.

I take Phamaton - good ebnough for Helen McCathur, god enough for me and I never get cold

GentleOtter · 13/01/2009 18:57

If you can then do your shopping online and get it delivered. The amount of people who cough right in to your face in supermarkets is unreal.
And eat tons of garlic.

KerryMumbles · 13/01/2009 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Horton · 13/01/2009 19:13

No no no! Not the tablets - they taste of ground up bee! Get the capsules!

MaHumbug · 13/01/2009 19:16

Horton - you can get lozenges which taste like cough candy. They're very nice.

Habbibu · 13/01/2009 19:17

Get lots of sleep, apparently

Horton · 13/01/2009 19:18

Oh really? That sounds worth a try, cheers.

Sherbert37 · 13/01/2009 19:22

Green tea, multi vitamins, wash hands after being out, flu jab. Not sure which works but I have not had a cold for years.

schneebly · 13/01/2009 19:25

'relaxed' cleaning standards (good for the immune system) and a diet high in garlic seems to work here - not a very 'coldy' house.

OneLieIn · 13/01/2009 19:34

Hot bath with lavender and eucalyptus oil

Lots of sleep

really high dose vitamins, double the normal to up your system

No housework

George Clooney on DvD

nickytwotimes · 13/01/2009 19:35

Do not allow toddlers near you.

Echinacea is shite, ime. Ditto vitamin c.

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