The doctor-approved Rx to get over a cold ASAP | Oscar Rx | hioscar Blog | Oscar
The doctor-approved Rx to get over a cold ASAP
It's cold and flu season, which means there are plenty of colds and flus going around. Here's how to get better ASAP!
General HealthClinically Speaking
4 min read
Share article
There’s no magic potion that will make a virus disappear, but there are a number of things you can do to proactively soothe your symptoms. One of Oscar's network doctors shared the Rx she recommends to help her patients combat cold and flu symptoms and feel better faster.
Get some rest.
Rest is the most important ingredient in your Rx. It will help your body combat a virus, restore your immune system, and make you feel better. Sleep as much as you can and avoid exercise if you’ve got a fever.
Soothe your symptoms.
If you’ve got a sore throat, you can soothe it by gargling a saltwater solution. Gargling works by warming and cleansing your throat and tonsils. Create a solution with 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water. You can also add a dash of sesame oil to help reduce inflammation. Sore throats can also be soothed with ice chips, throat spray, or zinc acetate lozenges, which can be dissolved over 20-30 minute period in the mouth and shorten the lifespan of your virus.
Steam can help drain your sinuses and alleviate pressure caused by congestion. It can also help relax your vocal cords and may help you get your voice back if a scratchy or sore throat has caused you to lose it. Use a vaporizer or simply fill up the bathroom sink with hot water. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, tent a towel over your head, and inhale the steam for five minutes. Just use extra caution as boiling water and hot steam can be dangerous!
Water is your best friend when you’re sick. If you’re at home in bed, make it your job to meet your daily H2O requirements of at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Teas and homemade soups can help you hydrate and clear mucus from your sinuses, kinda like a natural expectorant. Slippery elm tea, buckwheat honey, or throat tea combinations may also help with a sore throat.
Cool mist humidifiers can also help relieve congestion and moisten your throat and sinuses if they're feeling extra dry and scratchy. When you’re sick, your skin can also take a hit. Keep dry lips hydrated with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Zinc oxide ointment can also help soothe a sore nose.
How to medicate.
If you're suffering from aches and pains, a sore throat, or fever, then pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can help alleviate those symptoms. Remember that aspirin and ibuprofen should be taken after meals to avoid an upset stomach. If you’ve got a mild fever (less than 102 degrees), remember that it’s your body’s way of killing the virus, and it’s usually not dangerous. If you're running a fever and have questions about it, you can always contact your primary care doctor (opens in new tab) for advice. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers. In rare cases, it can cause harmful effects on their brain and liver.
Show your immune system some love.
Natural remedies like vitamin C, echinacea, and zinc have been known to help boost your immune system so you can speed your recovery. Vitamin C often comes in chewable tablets or gummies. You can use up to one gram a day in any form to support your immune system. Echinacea often comes in teas, lozenges and solutions. Purchase the concentrated solution and swish for one minute with 50 droplets. Repeat in one to two hours with 25 droplets. You can find zinc find at your local healthfood store in capsule form. Black elderberry is a natural remedy known to help reduce cold virus symptoms by half. Adults can take 15 mL 5 times daily for 3-5 days and children can take it twice daily for 3 days. You can also take oscillococcinum, a homeopathic flu remedy, to help alleviate your cold or flu symptoms. Be sure to use it as directed!
Get the care you need.
If you're experiencing shortness of breath, a high fever, severe pain, or if your symptoms have worsened or failed to improve, then it’s time to talk to a doctor. Use telemedicine (opens in new tab) to chat with a doctor from home, or make an appointment with your primary care doctor (opens in new tab). If you really need to see someone in person and it’s after hours, try an urgent care clinic (opens in new tab) that takes your insurance.
