Do flu and cold “remedies” just prolong the agony?

Yes, the latest bug doing the rounds is a pain, we've all had it here, and then had it again a couple of times!
The cold hangs on, then fades, then you have the sinus and clogged throat later. All in all it's not unlike the original Covid (though not so serious) where it eased and then came back with a vengeance to the chest. It makes me wonder if it is some sort of bastard child of a nasty cold and one of the Covid variants.

Missiseff

Don't waste your money. Except for paracetamol for pain and fever, go natural. Honey and lemon in hot water. The only people that benefit from over the counter 'remedies' are the companies that produce them.

I have iron tablets anyway as I need to take them periodically.

Please consult your doctor. Your condition has gone on far too long. Good luck~~~

Don't waste your money. Except for paracetamol for pain and fever, go natural. Honey and lemon in hot water. The only people that benefit from over the counter 'remedies' are the companies that produce them.

He also maintained (and he was a doctor) that a cold lasts for two weeks if you take remedies for it, and for a fortnight if you don't.

Yes, I've heard that.
This one is going on a bit longer although it wasn't quite as bad this morning.

I might take some iron tablets and prunes too to avoid the effect iron has.

I would keep on with the Lemsip - not so sure Fisherman's friends do any good.

For razor throat I gargle with lukewarm salty water - not pleasant, but it does give a slight relief.

For those who are coughing at well, try my paternal grandmother's remedy, which was, I believe, her mother's.

Peel and slice a large onion and lay the slices in a basin. Cover with brown sugar. Weigh a suitably sized saucer down on top of this mixture, so pressure is exerted and leave to stand overnight.

In the morning, either before or after breakfast take a teaspoonful of the juice.

Warning: it tastes revolting BUT it works.

My father was of the considered opinion that it works by scaring the cough away, as no-one in their right mind would want to have to take this cough mixture for long. I concur

He also maintained (and he was a doctor) that a cold lasts for two weeks if you take remedies for it, and for a fortnight if you don't.

Colds last winter where bigger and better, so they lasted for three weeks whether you did anything or not. Sounds as if this winter's are the three-week variety.

Hope you all feel better soon.

I've been left feeling quite exhausted.

Took a Covid test last week as have been feeling strange, bad cough and a bit 'out of it'. Test negative and now have scratchy throat, watery eyes and a few aches. Thought it was just me, hope we're all feeling better very soon.

No help you those of you struggling, and you have my sympathy, but to try and boost my immune system I take Vit D daily. We haven’t seen the sun in weeks here so we must be depleted.

If not on antibiotics have cinnamon sticks infusing in your hot lemon honey and toddy, or tea

Fresh ginger and hot toddies!

I use the extract of the African Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo). Great for all respiratory ailments and the flu. Plus vit. C multiple times a day. I take a 1 litre bottle of water, add at least 4 heaped teaspoons of ascorbic acid and take sips throughout the day.

A good old fashioned salt and warm water gargle really helps.Try and inhale peppermint oil in hot water.

I have had a similar problem with UTI’s. I used to think: ‘no I can’t live on antibiotics’, drink masses of liquids and cranberry juice. All it meant was that it took ages for the inevitable antibiotics to kick in and sometimes needed two lots.

You’ll know yourself if it’s ’just a cold’, which you can help the symptoms with proprietary medicines until it goes, or if it’s going to your chest, or turning into sinusitis.

I don't want to depress you but I came home from holiday with this rotten virus in the last week of September and I've only really felt properly 'better' for the last week or so. The coughing and the fatigue just dragged me down and I had no energy for anything.
I did speak to a nurse at the GP surgery and she told me that around six weeks seems to be average time to recovery with the current bug.☹️
Hope you feel better soon, RM2

Sounds like you need an antibiotic three weeks is a long time for a sore tgroat. Good luck in getting an appointment.

I was watching a segment on Morning Live and the doctor advised honey, lemon and ginger in hot water has been found to be more effective than over the counter remedies.
The advice for a sore throat was if there are white spots it's bacterial and needs antibiotics but if no white spots gargle with half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. When you spit it out you are helping to flush the virus out.
I always have lemon and ginger tea bags in the cupboard and add honey. If nothing else it makes a comforting hot drink.

Sounds like me

Vitaming D tablets and Sainsburys own version of lemsip with honey and whisky added liberally. Might not cure it, but can make living with it much more acceptable!

I was told that Vitamin C works best if taken at the first sign of symptoms. I have tried it many times over the years and found it works - or have I just not had a severe cold as I used to get years ago, where I couldn't breathe for weeks and hence couldn't sleep, headache etc.

A warm shower helps to clear the nasal passages. Plus copious lashings of Vicks stuff on the chest at night.

You MUST rest. The 'remedies' are anti inflammatory and pain reducing, but if you are tiring yourself you are slowing your recovery (sorry to be blunt) - and if you are mixing with people you are spreading it. Rest, fruit, veg, fish, meat, eggs - keep the sugar low as bugs love the stuff. Stay warm. Keep teeth/mouth clean (chlorohexidene mouthwash is good) Maybe a good book or some diverting TV/radio? Hope you feel well soon.

Well not me then with this. On about day 15 of grotty, snotty cold, sneezing and wicked throat and the other day I thought exactly the same am I just prologing systems with all the Lemsip etc I have been taking.
Did Covid test and that was clear.
No energy and feel tired.
Let's hope we all get back soon.

Cold medications alleviate symptoms but do not lengthen, cure or anything else. I had a couple of nasty bugs last winter and needed antibiotics as it turned into pneumonia the first time, I couldn't do anything all even drive and the GP had to come my house. The second time I took my temperature every day and as soon as it went up I saw the doctor and stopped the infection before it had time to worsen. Ibuprofen and paracetamol didn't bring my temperature down once it turned into a bacterial infection so I would just take whatever makes you feel a little bit better but keep an eye out for fever.

No the lemsips and other things just eased the symptoms. Don't take to bed but rest as much as possible

I had covid in 2022 and since then any slight sniffle turns into a bad cold and then a chest infection. I've had six lots of antibiotics in 2024 and I think I need them again. The trouble is GP is obviously reluctant to keep giving me them so by the time I get them I'm really unwell. I've had xrays and sputum tests and they can't figure out what it is. I'm sore from coughing and tired as I can't sleep. I am so fed up of it and I do sympathise OP it is miserable.