What works?
A shot of Jameson-brand Irish whiskey. Really.
For me I start taking coldeeze as soon as I realize its the cold. Also I always get bronchitis after a cold and the bronchitis is a bigger problem. So I start taking 800mg of cimetidine along with the coldeeze. That usually ramps up my immune system enough to prevent the bronchitis, which is a bigger issue for me.
As far as a cold, again, coldeeze is about all I can think of.
Lots of warm fluids, symptom management, hot bath, Jameson’s 
to knock you out and SLEEP. Most of all stay away from other people. Hand washing to prevent spread and keep your snotty Kleenex to yourself. Chicken soup with cayenne pepper to keep the snot flowing (so it doesnt clog up your passages).
Prevention is a lot easier.
Fer sure! I’ll be watching this thread for suggestions too. When I get a cold (doesn’t actually happen too often, thankfully), however minor, it can trigger a massive bronchitis episode. I am recovering from one such even today. (See my recent prednisone thread.) So for me, every little petty cold is a cause for panic!
I’m especially eager to learn of any tips to interrupt the bronchitis as quickly as possible, to nip it in the bud, before it blows out of control like I had last week.
My co-worker swears by Alabama Slammers. She says as soon as she feels a cold coming on she’ll down two of those and be fine.
I’m telling you, start taking 800mg cimetidine (aka tagamet, the heartburn OTC remedy) at the first sign. It’ll kickstart your immune system because it blocks a receptor on white blood cells that restrain your immune system. It takes a few days to start working though so you need to take it ASAP.
Cimetidine is used off label to strengthen the immune system for a wide range of illnesses. Warts, herpes, shingles, HIV, cancer
So far (and this is just so far, I"m cautiously optimistic) in the last 3 or 4 colds I’ve done this and none has turned into bronchitis as far as I remember.
I also used to use allimax supplements and those helped too at preventing the development of bronchitis from a cold.
Gargling with warm salty water seems to help me.
A hot shower always helps me – the steam opens up my sinuses, and I find it more refreshing than a hot bath. If you’re tired, just sit on the floor off the tub.
Hot tea with lemon to ease your throat.