Preventing colds.

My husband suffers from COPD ,so I am neurotic about catching colds. I swear by vitamin C , echinacea, and first defence. I also use an antibacterial spray in the house when necessary.Of course washing hands frequently goes without saying. I wish people were more thoughtful about not spreading germs. For most people a cold is nothing to worry about,but you never know who may be battling illness which makes them much more vulnerable.

I should have added selenium to the cocktail, although I don't actually use this is it keeps me awake and I have too many problems sleeping anyway.

Hand washing first, also a hand sanitizer when out. I take Vit c with Zinc daily, and havent had a cold for years (keeping my fingers crossed)
Vicks First Defence sounds marvellous, next time I am in the UK I must buy one, havent heard of it until today.

vicks first defense works by covering the virus in a gel so it can't multiply. It can also be used preventively so the virus doesn't stick to your nasal passages. You need to use it at least three times/day and also heed the hand hygiene advice. I have one of those hand sprays in my purse and use them as often as I remember when I'm in a public space (public transport, shops) and after every break at work.

Echinacea at the first sign an carry on taking for a week or too. I haven't had a cold in ages

After being on chemo some 17 years ago I was warned that due to my reduced immunity I should avoid all forms of public transport and any contact with anyone who might have flu. In the case of flu I was told that could be fatal! They also added that at the first sign or suspicion of a cold to take lots of vitamin C, preferably half a dozen tablets on the first day then at least four daily thereafter, together with the maximum permitted dose (NEVER more!) of paracetamol. You can't overdose on Vitamin C as it passes straight through the body.
This has always worked for me and no cold has lasted more than three days, with only mild symptoms.
I passed this on to a friend who croaked that she had to go to an important meeting in two days time, but felt like death. She later called on the day of the meeting to say thanks so much for the miracle cure!

I've not had a cold in 13 years and think this is due to having a zinc tablet every day which builds up immunity

I saw an article that said it was wrong to put our hands over our mouths when coughing or sneezing - because the hands then transfer the germs to the next thing they touch. Instead people should cough/sneeze into the crook of the elbow - makes sense really.

I have been taking a high strength garlic tablet once a day for many years and never had a cold since.

A couple of mls of Echinacea tincture in a glass of water at the very first sign of a cold, that suspicious prickly feeling in the nose. I've known it to work well as it activates the immunity.

Thanks for the above tips sitting in bed with a stinker of a cold praying it won't go on my chest really bad asthma .ninhate this time of year for chest problems .it doesn't help I've to go to work with children time to retire ha ha!!

I have the flu jab each year, try to eat healthily and now, after reading a recent medical report, take more care washing hands. I have looked after DGC for 8 years and so far have been relatively ok. Fingers crossed that I won't regret these comments.

Prevention better than cure.Not putting your hands on your face.How many of us touch our face at least once a day. I do not mean putting make up on but perhaps you have an itch and human nature is to scratch. I use anti bac wipes on the handles of supermarket trolleys or in winter wear gloves when shopping. I have home deliveries end of November to when schools end their Xmas break.
Get plenty of rest at least 8 hours even if you have to read in bed at least you are resting.Over tired can lower our resistance to infections.

I swear by cold liver oil tabs. One A day

Coco51.Paper tissues are cheap enough.

I swear by a glass of fresh fruit juice every morning with a teaspoon of honey. My juicer is a heavy duty one which keeps all the fibre and I love it. It may not really ward off the colds, but makes me feel better and if I do get a cold, before bed I soak a piece of ginger in boiling water, add a smigeon of whisky or dark rum, a drop of blackcurrant cordial and another spoon of honey, maybe stirring in a pinch of cinnamon and a soluble paracetamol. Maybe the placebo effect, but makes me feel better. My local chemist has packs of Rowse's honey sachets perfect for purpose.

A cold is caused by a virus and there's no cure for that. The way to avoid getting a cold is to stay in bed and wear an oxygen mask <G> I take a shot of double malt whisky in hot milk with honey every half hour for 4 hours. Doesn't do a damn thing for the cold but heh who cares <hic> smile

I've never really had a cold, but I did suffer horribly with chronic catarrh all through my school days. Haven't needed a hanky since I had my tonsils out some 30 years ago.

First Defence. Just a squeeze up nostrils at that first sniffle or tingle & it just goes away-you have to catch it quickly. It is not cheap but lasts for ages. I haven't had a cold for years now.

Mega dose of vit c is my cure at first hint of a cold. I get it in powdered form that is slow release and deacidified. I mix 1/2 teaspoon in little water or fruit juice and repeat frequently. This is equivalent to two rubex but gentle on stomach.

We were sitting in a cafe when we saw a man outside sneeze lavishly into his hands, rub them together and then grasp the cafe door handle and come in. A classic example of why you need to wash your hands when you get home !

I also use a hand sanitiser if eating or drinking out - I'm not obsessive about it but just try to keep the majority of germs at bay. With small grandchildren who seem to be constantly sneezing or coughing it's hard to avoid the dreaded colds.

I have been laid low with a cold and now a cough this week. Started as a bad throat. All in the same week where a blood test revealed I have too much potassium in my blood. Following last week where a lost very big clots during my period ( could be my last period as I'm 55). Have had one hsp appt and another 1 to come. I eat well and keep hydrated but nothing is saving me at the moment.

Raw garlic every time - I never get a cold - ever!! I eat it most days. Also zinc is far better than vitamin C

First defence is great. My gd had a start of a cold she likes to have olbas oil on her pillow and tissues. Lemon and honey for a sore throat. I find she gets over it quite quickly, I don't give her first defence though.
Also used tissues are put in a bin bag and tied up.

Don't indulge in the modern habit of kissing and hugging everybody, a pat on the head for the grandchildren, loads of paper hankies and wash your hands and theirs after a mopping up session. First Defence does seem to help but probably not if small person with a cold sneezes right in your face. Try any of the vitamins you think might help but I suspect if you are in the wrong place you can't really stop a cold.