How to Feel Better

There's still no cure for the common cold, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer through your symptoms. In fact, treating the symptoms may prevent your ailment from getting worse. "Up to 60 percent of people who have colds develop an additional problem," says Neil Schachter, a professor of pulmonary medicine at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. For example, a stuffy nose can become a breeding ground for a sinus infection. With the flu, the rate of secondary infection can be even higher.

To shorten the duration of a cold, zinc gluconate nasal sprays and lozenges, like Cold-Eeze, can help if used right away, Schachter says. And don't forget chicken soup. It actually blocks body chemicals that make you feel crummy, and the hot liquid can be a salve.

Antiviral prescription drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, can shorten the duration of the flu and ease symptoms, but you have to take them within 48 hours of the first signs of the illness. Bear in mind that antibiotics won't treat a cold or the flu. These drugs kill bacteria, while colds and the flu are caused by viruses.

Generally, treat your symptoms the same way, no matter what ailment is making you miserable. First try to soothe aches and pains, unblock your nose, and alleviate your cough by taking hot showers, drinking hot beverages, staying hydrated, and using a humidifier in dry rooms. And get out of bed. "When you lie flat, mucus accumulates in the sinuses," leaving you susceptible to an infection, Schachter says. Humming can also help, because the vibrations cause drainage in the middle ear. If those remedies aren't enough, address symptoms one by one following the guidelines on the next page.