I am going on holiday in 3 days and of course my body decided a couple days ago to catch a cold…right before my long awaited holiday!!

Any tips on how to get rid of it asap? Speed up the recovery somehow?

I have flu/cold medicine with paracetamol, caffeine and phenylephrine hydrochloride, however I have stopped taking it after 2 doses (of two capsules each) so I can allow my body to do what it needs with no obstruction before I go away…

I am resting (sleeping until I feel rested. I have free days before the holiday so can sleep as much as I need), eating light meals, plenty of drinks and soothers for the dry/sore throat

Does taking medicine to relieve symptoms prolong the actual healing process? Or am I suffering for no reason right now?

Please, any help is appreciated, I’m desperate here 🙏🙏

  • qprimed@lemmy.ml
    1·
    1 year ago

    the old adage still holds true… you can rest for 7 days and recover, or take this medicne and be good in a week.

    • arc@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      I mean as long as it doesn’t actually prolong the illness, all good with me lol

      Taking the medicine makes it much more bareable

  • Lvxferre@lemmy.ml
    1·
    1 year ago

    I have good and bad news for you. And they’re the same piece of news - no matter what you do, the healing process will take the same time. You can’t really speed it up, but treating the symptoms as they appear won’t make it go slower either.

    So while the cold is going on, focus mostly on your comfort and well-being. Based on what you said in the OP and across the thread (“I noticed my symptoms gradually start about 3 days ago”, “I am going on holiday in 3 days”), you’ll probably be fine for the holidays.

    [Off-topic: you probably selected “bot account” in the settings, didn’t you? You’re being marked as a bot by Lemmy.]

  • ugh@lemm.ee
    0·
    1 year ago

    Medicine does not prolong the healing process. The only “beneficial” side effect is the fever, but there isn’t hard evidence that it’s better or worse to bring down a fever (unless you hit 102°F or higher). If you choose to let your body do its thing and burn down the house, just avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol).

    Colds often take up to a week or more to pass, so there’s a chance that you won’t be better in 3 days.

    Vitamin C and vitamin D3 are also good for your immune system.