# you feel a cold coming on: what do you take? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474 "2013-01-08T13:34:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/1 "2013-01-08T13:34:14Z")
I take echinacea and extra vitamin C. I have a friend who swears by Elderberry. I remember hearing zinc could help but I’ve never tried it. currently I have a very mild cold while I am surrounded by people who are MISERABLE sick so I feel like it helps. been feeling like it helps for years, in fact. what about you? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/2 "2013-01-08T13:42:54Z")
For the last few years I’ve found success taking several (5-6) Cold-Eeze lozenges a day, for 1.5-2 days when I first feel the onset of cold symptoms. It never fully develops into a cold and has completely eliminated my typical post cold, 3 or 4 nights of coughing. I just discovered they also have a spray. 2 squirts of the spray into my mouth or throat every 2-4 hours brings the same result, and eliminates that metallic zinc taste in my mouth all day. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/3 "2013-01-08T13:57:07Z")
I take C. If I have some Cold-EEze I take that but usually I forget to buy it and I always have lots of Vitamin C. I also try to drink extra water. I’m going to have to look for that spray **corkboard** mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/4 "2013-01-08T14:09:58Z")
Extra fluids. Extra sleep. Anything else seems like B.S. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/5 "2013-01-08T14:24:10Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Extra fluids. Extra sleep. > > Anything else seems like B.S. doesn’t matter to me if it seems like or actually IS BS - _I feel better_ and that is the point. or, rather, I don’t feel nearly as bad. I do the extra rest thing, though. seems important. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/6 "2013-01-08T14:29:08Z")
I drink a small glass of whiskey and go to bed early. I usually feel fine the next day. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/7 "2013-01-08T14:38:22Z")
Hmm no Airborne? 😃 [GD, RLH] My mom swears by that junk-still gets sick a lot, while my colds now tend to be mild, short-lived things. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/8 "2013-01-08T15:02:42Z")
Claritin-D for me. If my sinuses get even a half chance to stop up, I will go from “I think I have a cold coming on” to “Hey Doc, I’ve got a sinus infection” in about three hours. It may not really be that fast, but my sinuses do tend to get gunked up and infected rather easily. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/9 "2013-01-08T15:07:39Z")
Nothing. I know I won’t stop it. I avoid them by washing my hands constantly, but once I catch one, that’s pretty much it. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/10 "2013-01-08T16:57:18Z")
Cold-Ease, all the way. Works like a charm. And it never expires, so you can buy a big ole bag of it and stuff it in a drawer and it’s always there when you need it. And if you’re a cheap bastard like me, the CVS generic version works just as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/11 "2013-01-08T17:03:09Z")
Cold-Ease for me as well. And some extra Vitamin C, and plenty of extra liquids. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/12 "2013-01-08T17:06:40Z")
I take Airborne, and yes, I am aware that they have not provided convincing scientific evidence that it works. None of my research has shown that anyone has actually proven that it DOESN’T work either, and I have yet to see any evidence that it’s harmful, so I don’t see why people are so quick to dismiss those that take it as gullible fools. I absolutely hate to get sick, and if I remember to take it early enough, it really does seem to prevent a full-blown cold from developing. Of course I can’t know for certain what would have happened in any given instance if I hadn’t taken it, so I don’t expect to convince anyone. It’s cheap and easy though, and I don’t take it instead of another item which has been proven to work, so why not? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/13 "2013-01-08T17:25:07Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > I take Airborne, and yes, I am aware that they have not provided convincing scientific evidence that it works. None of my research has shown that anyone has actually proven that it DOESN’T work either, and I have yet to see any evidence that it’s harmful, so I don’t see why people are so quick to dismiss those that take it as gullible fools. I absolutely hate to get sick, and if I remember to take it early enough, it really does seem to prevent a full-blown cold from developing. Of course I can’t know for certain what would have happened in any given instance if I hadn’t taken it, so I don’t expect to convince anyone. It’s cheap and easy though, and I don’t take it instead of another item which has been proven to work, so why not? Here ya go then. > [@](#): > > The story of Airborne – a popular supplement marketed as an “herbal health formula that boosts your immune system to help your body combat germs” – is representative of what is wrong with the supplement industry and how it is regulated in the US. Recently the company that sells Airborne – Airborne Health, Inc – agreed to pay $23.3 million to refund consumers who purchased the product (if they have proof of purchase). This was to settle a class-action law suit brought by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and others claiming false advertising. > > SNIP > > In the case of Airborne there was no FTC action – a grass roots watchdog group, CSPI, brought a class action suit for false claims. Specifically they were able to document that there is no scientific evidence to support the claims made for Airborne. In addition, Airborne Health cited a “clinical study” to back its claim that Airborne is effective at preventing colds. But an ABC news investigation reported: > > \*Airborne said that a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with “care and professionalism” by a company specializing in clinical trial management, GNG Pharmaceutical Services. > > GNG is actually a two-man operation started up just to do the Airborne study. There was no clinic, no scientists and no doctors. The man who ran things said he had lots of clinical trial experience. He added that he had a degree from Indiana University, but the school says he never graduated.\* > [**Given that Airborne is nothing more than an overpriced (and potentially unsafe) vitamin pill, and that there is no reason (either theoretically or based upon clinical evidence) to conclude that this product is of any use in fighting off germs, as is claimed, Airborne seems to be of no practical use to the consumer. It is a waste of health resources, and may serve as a source of false confidence and therefore distract consumers from effective means of avoiding infectious disease – like simple hand washing. Our current regulations have not prevented such products from getting to the marketplace, nor removed them from the market once the facts come to light.** > (SOURCE)](http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/airborne-admits-false-advertising/) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/14 "2013-01-08T17:32:44Z")
Citrus, apples, and/or vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/15 "2013-01-08T17:36:05Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > I take echinacea and extra vitamin C. I have a friend who swears by Elderberry. I remember hearing zinc could help but I’ve never tried it. > > currently I have a very mild cold while I am surrounded by people who are MISERABLE sick so I feel like it helps. been feeling like it helps for years, in fact. > > what about you? I grab the echinacea. I’ve heard that lysine would also help, but haven’t really given it a good trial yet. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/16 "2013-01-08T17:40:03Z")
But that’s exactly what I said: they have not proven that it DOES work, but there is also no proof that it DOESN’T work. They are accused of making unsupported claims. The fact that the claims are not supported by clinical evidence does not automatically prove that the claims are false. My own experience is that it helps, it costs an amount of money that is trivial to me, I have not dispensed with handwashing as a result of taking it, and as far as I’m concerned, my personal experience with it has been positive. Nowhere in your citation is there any evidence that it is harmful, only speculation that it potentially could be. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/17 "2013-01-08T17:49:34Z")
Extra fluids Sauna ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/18 "2013-01-08T18:52:58Z")
Nothing. But I try to get lots and lots of sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/19 "2013-01-08T18:55:24Z")
Nothing; it’s too late. Just damage control from there on out. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474/20 "2013-01-08T18:55:33Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > But that’s exactly what I said: they have not proven that it DOES work, but there is also no proof that it DOESN’T work. They are accused of making unsupported claims. The fact that the claims are not supported by clinical evidence does not automatically prove that the claims are false. > My own experience is that it helps, it costs an amount of money that is trivial to me, I have not dispensed with handwashing as a result of taking it, and as far as I’m concerned, my personal experience with it has been positive. Nowhere in your citation is there any evidence that it is harmful, only speculation that it potentially could be. [Zicam and its homeopathic malarky when it produced zinc nasal spray was the cause of a lot of people developing anosmia.](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/health/policy/17nasal.html?hp&_r=0) They’ve since pulled that line from the shelves after settling lawsuits and the FDA warning against the usage. Hey, it’s your money and your body. Do whatever you want. I just want facts out there just in case someone else values money/body over a potentially harmful placebo. In the words of Tim Minchin “You know what the call alternative medicine that’s been proven to work? Medicine”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-feel-a-cold-coming-on-what-do-you-take/646474.md?page=2)