Have a cold? Common sense rules

By Mayo Clinic Staff

There's no cure for the common cold, but you don't need to feel miserable while you're toughing it out. Drink plenty of fluids. Try chicken soup. Rest as much as you can. Use saline nasal spray to relieve stuffiness. Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat. Turn on a humidifier. To prevent spreading your cold to others, wash your hands often.

June 03, 2022 See more In-depth

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  4. Can chicken soup cure a cold?
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  9. Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
  10. Common cold
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  12. Cough
  13. Vitamin C and mood
  14. Does zinc work for colds?
  15. Exercise and illness
  16. Fatigue
  17. Hand-washing tips
  18. Have a cold? Fight back with humidity
  19. Have a cold? Fight it with fluids
  20. Headache
  21. Honey: An effective cough remedy?
  22. How well do you wash your hands?
  23. Humidifier care 101
  24. Humidifiers
  25. Is antibacterial soap a do or a don't?
  26. Nasal Cleaning
  27. Nasal congestion
  28. Neti pot: Can it clear your nose?
  29. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  30. Runny nose
  31. Stuffy nose? Try saline spray
  32. Symptom Checker
  33. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  34. Vitamin C: Can it prevent colds?
  35. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  36. Watery eyes
  37. What is MERS-CoV?
  38. When to Take Your Child to the E.D.
  39. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?