Tips On Fighting The Flu Or A Cold

Tuesday, November 21st 2006, 6:11 am

By: News On 6

Drinking sprite, eating a whole onion, turning up the heat in your house. People will try anything to get rid of a cold or flu, including over the counter remedies. But what really works?

Airborne and Zicam are just a couple of supplements people swear by during cold and flu season. The makers of the medicines claim they reduce the duration and severity of cold. But it may be simply draining your wallet.

Doctors say most common colds are viral and there aren't medications to stop the cold and attack the virus. Medications and supplements like Emergen-C, Cold-Eeze and Echinacea may relieve the symptoms but don't cure the illness. Dr. John Jennings is with the Primary Care Group of Oklahoma. He says he's hesitant about recommending any one over the counter remedy. "It may make them feel a little bit better, it may decrease some of their symptomotology but as far as a cure there's not real science about it."

Dr. Jennings says you should definitely see a doctor if you have a really high fever, shaking chills, bad headaches, changes in vision, skin rash or your symptoms last more than a few days.

He says to help relieve symptoms of cold and flu he recommends chicken soup, tea and plenty of rest, along with small amounts of Vitamin C.