How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast
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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Pollard Ruiz, MD
The average American adult will catch the common cold two or three times a year. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of the common cold fast.
This article will highlight the effective cold remedies versus those that warrant more research.
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How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast
Without any intervention, the common cold will go away on its own within seven to 10 days. However, several at-home remedies exist that can decrease the severity and duration of symptoms. Some effective common cold remedies are:
Rest: Sleep is known to play an important role in keeping the body's immune system healthy. Restful sleep can help decrease inflammation and keep the immune system strong so it can fight against viruses such as those that cause the common cold.
Stay hydrated: Getting adequate amounts of fluids will help keep the body's mucous membranes moist. This ensures that the mucus won't dry out and will be easier to release by blowing your nose or coughing.
Use a vaporizer/humidifier: A vaporizer or humidifier can provide moisture that helps break up mucus, making it easier to cough. These devices are especially helpful in winter when central heating tends to dry the air out.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers/fever reducers: Some symptoms of the common cold include fevers, chills, body aches, and joint pain. Nonprescription medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help reduce a fever and help decrease joint and muscle pains.
OTC cold/cough medicine: These medicines can help reduce the severity of cold and cough symptoms. Often a bad cough will make it difficult to get quality rest. OTC cough syrups, cough drops, and cold medicines can help soothe the throat and block the cough reflex, allowing for better sleep.
Nasal saline irrigation and salt water gargles: While more in-depth studies need to be done, studies have shown that these interventions can decrease the duration of a running nose, nasal congestion, and cough.
Cold Remedies With Conflicting Evidence
While herbs and minerals like vitamin C, echinacea, zinc, and eucalyptus have become increasingly popular anecdotally, the scientific studies do not strongly support their claims as effective cold remedies.
More studies are needed concerning vitamin and mineral supplementation and their effects on colds. That said, it is best to focus on resting the body, staying hydrated, and using supportive OTC measures that are known to be effective.
How Long Do Colds Last?
Common cold symptoms typically peak within two to three days and tend to affect the nose and sinuses first. Some symptoms, such as nasal congestion and cough, can last up to 10 to 14 days. If symptoms fail to improve within 14 days from the initial onset, you should speak to your healthcare provider.
The Stages of a Cold
The common cold usually is transmitted through contaminated air, surfaces, or close personal contact with a person who is sick. The first stage of a cold is the incubation period, or the time from which a person gets infected and then begins experiencing symptoms.
Stage 1 of a cold occurs around the first three days of symptoms. For some with mild cases, symptoms may peak at this time. More severe disease symptoms peak in stage 2, which accounts for days four through seven. The third stage of a cold is known as the recovery phase. This phase is from day seven until the resolution of all symptoms.
It is important to note that you are contagious as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms. This means you can pass the cold to others.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In most cases the common cold will improve on its own with measures like getting rest, increasing hydration, and taking OTC medicines. Oftentimes, the common cold and flu symptoms are nearly identical and only a healthcare provider can determine which you have. Reasons to see a healthcare provider include:
Symptoms lasting longer than 10 to 14 days without improvement
Having difficulty breathing
Symptoms that improve and then return or worsen again
Severe symptoms in infants and young children, people who are over 65, or people who are immunocompromised
Fevers
A fever is defined as a body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher. If a fever is lasting more than four days, it is important to contact your healthcare provider.
Since the common cold can be caused by hundreds of different viruses, antibiotics will not improve symptoms or decrease the length of a cold. However, if symptoms fail to improve within 10 to 14 days, or they resolve and then return, a secondary bacterial infection may have developed. In these cases, antibiotics may be beneficial and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Summary
Colds are quite common. You can get up to three in a year. There is no cure for the common cold, and antibiotics, which only fight bacterial infections, will not help, as viruses and not bacteria cause it.
To get relief from your cold as soon as possible, get adequate rest, stay hydrated, and take OTC medicines for symptomatic relief. Most common colds resolve within 10–14 days and anything lasting longer should prompt a visit with a healthcare provider.
