I used to work in Social services while taking imunno suppresant drugs for other health problems.
I averaged 1 cold every 3-4 years by;
Washing my hands very often and keeping hand sanitizer handy. Lysol would bee sprayed afer a sick person at desk.
When I felt a cold I would immediately start drinking lots fluids and poppping 500mg vitamin C every half hour up to 7000-10,000mg.
Next couple of days 3000-4000mg. Lots of sleepfor 2-3 days and appropriate dress for weather.
I think the most important thing was just telling myself no way I'm not getting sick.

When I was drinking I got many more colds and it used to be by half gallon vodka and alternate between bloody marys and screw drivers till I wwould pass out. Wkae up and repeat process.
I like the sober slolution much beter and it's much more effective.

thanks reed...is OJ not enough vitamin C or is the supplement lots better?

Man I can't tell you how many times I'd call in sick from drinking and then end up REALLY sick..I think it is Karma! :)

I agree with Reed totally about washing your hands, I am big on that. However I have a bit of a cold right now and am a little hoarse (pony..hee hee) I was told tonight that I sounded like a blues singer. :)

You're doin the right things, unfortunately you may just have to suffer through it. Over the counter cold meds make my head loopy, I can't handle them. Try to get some rest & feel better. :)

Isn't that just the way it goes, Ashley?
Really makes ya wanna kick yourself.
Once you're in a cold/flu there is not much you can do about it except relieve the symptoms. I, too, stay away from meds of any sort...but I will succomb to TheraFlu before I go to bed if I am absolutely miserable. It at least knocks me out so I can get some rest and rest is what one needs while sick.
You might want to give a steamed herbal treatment a shot.
Get a towel over the steaming pot of goodness and breath it all in.
ps Glad you didn't lose your job....

You would end up exploding if you drank enough OJ to get that much vitamin C. I get the big chewable tablets.

Zinc.

I take emergenC, sometimes I take airborne. Vitamin C chewables are good also.

oh and lot's of water.

extra covers try to sweat some of it out and all of the above..hope you feel better

Meat also, iron rich foods help with the immunity.

*OJ
*Sleep
*Eat very nutritious food
*Dress very warmly - even when you sleep at night.
*Vitamin C (a little late now, but can't hurt)

If your blowing your nose often, an antihistimine doesn't hurt. It'll dry you up.

Just watch out for some of those over the counter cold meds if you have a prob with blood pressure..I was taking zyrtec D for a long time and it was raising my bp through the roof. Anything with a "D" in it is not good for you if you have high BP. Hope you feel better today Ashley. :)

Decongestants can give you blood pressure problems, but antihistimines will not.

Mucinex DM would be helpful for you right now in extended release. It's OTC and not remotely bothersome. I don't take a lot of medications but this one helps. Zinc lozenges, vitamin C supplements in doses around 1,000 mgs can cut a cold short. Saline spray but a better thing would be a netti pot. Water, water and more water. There's not enough C in OJ to make a difference and it can actually increase your mucous because of the acidity. Herbal teas like Ginger help tremendously. Peppermint tea. Stay away from dairy anything as it just adds to the gunk. I'm an opera singer so I'm a pro at this. Need more ideas, I have them:) xoxo