The flu and cold season is in full swing. No one likes to be sick, and these highly contagious infections can make life miserable for many days which might feel like an eternity. Fortunately, there are a few tips and methods that will help you find the fastest way to recover from a cold. What are they and how to get back on track? Keep reading!
Flu vs. cold – what’s the difference & typical symptoms?
Before we get into how to get over a cold quickly, it’s important to understand the difference between the flu and a cold. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. Flu symptoms include:
- high fever
- severe body aches
- exhaustion
A cold, on the other hand, comes on gradually and usually features a runny nose, congestion, and a sore throat.
Colds usually last about four to five days, although the congestion and coughing can linger for a week or more. On the other end of the spectrum, flu symptoms usually persist for a few days to a few weeks. The fever usually lasts for three to five days, but the cough and fatigue frequently continue even for two weeks or more.
The symptoms are bothersome and often take the joy out of life. Therefore, many people wonder how to boost their immune system and how to recover quickly from a cold.
What’s the fastest way to recover from flu and cold?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold or flu. However, there are a few things you can do to help your body fight the infection and speed up the recovery process.
How to recover from a cold as quickly as possible? Try to:
- drink lots of fluids – water, clear soups, herbal teas, fruit juices. You can drink everything you want to prevent dehydration, replace lost liquids and fight off the infection. Try drinking tea with honey as it can have a soothing effect on various nagging symptoms like sore throat. The only liquids you should avoid when being sick are caffeine and alcohol.
- get rest – when you’re sick, your body needs time to heal. So make sure to get enough sleep (at least eight hours a day) and take naps during the day if possible.
- keep warm – when you have a cold, your body temperature might drop. That’s why it’s important to dress warmly and keep your home warm. You can also use a humidifier as it can help relieve congestion.
- drink warm liquids – hot water with lemon and honey or chicken soup is a great way to recover from cold and flu fast. Hot liquids can help break up congestion, soothe a sore throat and help you stay hydrated.
- use a neti pot – this is a small pot with a long spout that you can use to pour saline water through your nose. It can help rinse away the infection and relieve congestion.
- speed up your recovery with IV therapy – it’s one of the best ways to recover from the flu. This type of therapy delivers fluids and nutrients directly to your bloodstream. It can help you rehydrate quickly and get the nutrients your body needs to fight the infection. If you want to improve your endurance, the super immune boost IV therapy is the right fit for you. Struggling with nausea and can’t hold anything down in your stomach? Try the stomach flu IV drip to get the nutrients to recover quicker.
The takeaway
How to recover from a cold quickly? In conclusion, there is no cure for the common cold or flu. However, there are a few things you can do to help your body fight the infection and speed up the recovery process.
Drink lots of warm fluids, get rest, keep warm and use a neti pot. You can also benefit from OTC medications or IV therapy to help relieve the symptoms.