4 ms·

In general, cold medicines do not work. We cannot cure the cold viruses, only alleviate symptoms. Mostly, warmth, fluids and rest, and not spreading the cold to

In general, cold medicines do not work. We cannot cure the cold viruses, only alleviate symptoms. Mostly, warmth, fluids and rest, and not spreading the cold to others is best advice, plus decongestants, which is what you're mostly being sold. Even so, people ask for antibiotics for many ailments where they are useless, and add to resistance instead.

Silhouette 8y ago
I had one of those experiences a while back where the conclusion is so obvious that you wonder how you hadn't worked it out many years earlier. I actually did rest and drink plenty of fluids when I had a horrible cold. I stayed in bed for most of the next 24 hours, sleeping when I could, at a comfortable room temperature and with a little ventilation. I made sure I drank several pints of water during that time, even though at first my sore throat was hurting every time I swallowed and I really didn't want to. One day later, a condition that had felt like it was going to give me at least another week of unpleasantness was already greatly improved. Not fully recovered, but much, much better, far beyond anything any cold remedy medication had ever done for me (though the real medicine did also help with decongestion and allowing enough comfort to fall asleep). It turns out that doctors have been right all along and it was just me not getting it, fooling myself into thinking that if I went to bed a bit early and had a few extra sips of water then I was following the doctors' advice.
- kbutler 8y ago
  Post hoc ergo propter hoc. I took megadoses of vitamin C and my cold I was sure would knock me out for a week went away!
  - Silhouette 8y ago
    Post hoc ergo propter hoc. Except that taking proper rest and fluids has consistently helped me to get over anything like colds ever since, and as far as I'm aware it is the only common factor that changed other than my age.
    - kbutler 8y ago
      I'm not saying you're wrong, and I agree that the data supports "rest and fluids". But I have relatives that make similar statements about lots of health treatments that are absolutely not supported by the data, and probably just demonstrate variability and placebo effect.
freedomben 8y ago
Strongly disagree. For many people a cold with congestion turns into a sinus infection if not treated with decongestants. Then you actually do need the antibiotics! It's dangerous to assume that just because the "cold medicine" doesn't attack the virus that it doesn't work.
- GrinningFool 8y ago
  > many people a cold with congestion turns into a sinus infection if not treated with decongestants. Then you actually do need the antibiotics! This isn't strictly true either. An otherwise healthy person's body will take care of most sinus infections[1] itself given a little time and care. When it turns into something longer-term, that's when antibiotics may come into play. [1] And these can be bacterial or viral
  - Nursie 8y ago
    You know I'd rather not wait to find out if that infection is going to turn nasty and longer-term. Did once - burst an eardrum and had to take a while off work.

Silhouette 8y ago

I had one of those experiences a while back where the conclusion is so obvious that you wonder how you hadn't worked it out many years earlier. I actually did rest and drink plenty of fluids when I had a horrible cold. I stayed in bed for most of the next 24 hours, sleeping when I could, at a comfortable room temperature and with a little ventilation. I made sure I drank several pints of water during that time, even though at first my sore throat was hurting every time I swallowed and I really didn't want to. One day later, a condition that had felt like it was going to give me at least another week of unpleasantness was already greatly improved. Not fully recovered, but much, much better, far beyond anything any cold remedy medication had ever done for me (though the real medicine did also help with decongestion and allowing enough comfort to fall asleep). It turns out that doctors have been right all along and it was just me not getting it, fooling myself into thinking that if I went to bed a bit early and had a few extra sips of water then I was following the doctors' advice.

kbutler 8y ago
Post hoc ergo propter hoc. I took megadoses of vitamin C and my cold I was sure would knock me out for a week went away!
- Silhouette 8y ago
  Post hoc ergo propter hoc. Except that taking proper rest and fluids has consistently helped me to get over anything like colds ever since, and as far as I'm aware it is the only common factor that changed other than my age.
  - kbutler 8y ago
    I'm not saying you're wrong, and I agree that the data supports "rest and fluids". But I have relatives that make similar statements about lots of health treatments that are absolutely not supported by the data, and probably just demonstrate variability and placebo effect.

freedomben 8y ago

Strongly disagree. For many people a cold with congestion turns into a sinus infection if not treated with decongestants. Then you actually do need the antibiotics! It's dangerous to assume that just because the "cold medicine" doesn't attack the virus that it doesn't work.

GrinningFool 8y ago
> many people a cold with congestion turns into a sinus infection if not treated with decongestants. Then you actually do need the antibiotics! This isn't strictly true either. An otherwise healthy person's body will take care of most sinus infections[1] itself given a little time and care. When it turns into something longer-term, that's when antibiotics may come into play. [1] And these can be bacterial or viral
- Nursie 8y ago
  You know I'd rather not wait to find out if that infection is going to turn nasty and longer-term. Did once - burst an eardrum and had to take a while off work.