I have the shmutz. Need advice and have some questions.

In My Humble Opinion
1

I don’t think it is the flu, just a real bad cold. I am miserable. I have a few questions:

“Starve a fever, feed a cold” Any truth to this?

“Force fluids” Is there some reason for this? Are we supposed to be pissing out the virus?

“Spend a lot of time in bed” I actually feel better sitting in a chair. When I lie down, my head pounds and my sinuses fill up.

So what is the deal on these? Also, any advice for coping would be appreciated. I try to avoid nostrums, but am tempted to buy a decongestant because I am having trouble sleeping with a clogged nose. The mouth breathing is drying me out and chapping my lips.

2

I’ve never heard “stay in bed”, just “rest”.

I generally spend colds on the sofa, where I can sit up or nap at whim.

I suspect the “lots of fluids” came from stomach bugs, which can cause pretty rapid dehydration. Evidently they’re starting to question this one, so you’re in good company if you ignore it.

OTOH, I know I always feel dehydrated when I have a cold, even though I can’t possibly be losing that much moisture in snot. And the liquid does help with the dry mouth / sore throat thing.

My favorite fix for cold congestion is a neti pot a couple times a day. Works wonders.

If you’re not up for waterboarding yourself, try one of the Sinus Rinse kits, or even just some saline spray.

I never can remember which to feed or starve, so I just ignore that one entirely.

3

Also, can I reinfect myself from bath towels, bedding etc.?

4

“Starve a fever, feed a cold” is my instinct when I’m sick. Colds always make me ravenous. Fevers take away my appetite. I’ve always trusted that instinct. No, I don’t have any scientific research to back it up.

Drinking fluids is recommended when you have a cold because it’s supposed to keep your mucus fluid, which makes it drain better.

Probably staying in bed with a wedge pillow to prop you up, or being in a comfy recliner, is ideal. Full-body rest with maximum drainage.

I don’t know about re-infection. I’ve seen recommendations to throw away toothbrushes etc, but that’s never made sense. Shouldn’t I be immune? Also, on what particular day of this two-week cold do I get a new toothbrush???

5

It’s if you feed a cold you will have to starve a fever. Instead of eating and giving your body all that work digesting food, don’t eat (or don’t eat much). I mix water and orange juice half half and drink plenty of that when I feel a cold coming on and straight water in between.

On the other hand they say if you treat it, it’ll last 7 days and if you don’t it’ll last a week.

Also as redtail23 says - the neti pot.

6

That’s quite the command of Yiddish you’re displaying. “I have the dirt?”

7

I got that from an old Jewish girlfriend, who may not have the best command of Yiddish herself. :smack: