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2 October 2026
If you are wondering how to get rid of a cold, start with simple steps: rest, drink enough fluids and use suitable medicines to ease the symptoms that are bothering you. Most colds can be managed at home, and you should begin to feel better within one to two weeks.
The important distinction is between feeling more comfortable and curing the infection: medicines can help with a blocked nose, aches or a temperature, but they do not offer an instant cure. Here, we explain what is worth trying, which remedies have less evidence behind them and when to seek advice.
A few practical things can make a real difference:
A GP can help distinguish a routine viral infection from something that needs further assessment, particularly when symptoms are prolonged, unusually severe or occurring in someone with an underlying medical condition.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve aches and lower a temperature, if they are suitable for you. Always check the leaflet and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, particularly if you are pregnant or take other medicine.
Check the ingredients before combining products: an all-in-one cold remedy may already contain a painkiller, so taking an additional dose could mean taking too much. Do not take a cold or flu remedy containing paracetamol alongside separate paracetamol tablets.
A pharmacist can advise whether a decongestant is suitable for short-term relief of a blocked nose. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than five days, as using them for longer can make the blockage worse.
Ask for advice first if you have high blood pressure, a heart condition or take other medicines, as decongestants are not suitable for everyone. During pregnancy, only use them if a healthcare professional advises you to, and check with a pharmacist or GP before using them while breastfeeding.
Avoid leaning over a bowl of hot water to breathe in steam: it can cause serious burns, and there is no strong evidence that it helps a cold or speeds recovery. Ask a pharmacist about safer options instead.
A warm lemon and honey drink may soothe a sore throat, and adults can also try gargling with salt water. Honey may help ease a cough, although the evidence for this and many cough remedies is limited.
Never give honey to a baby under one year old, and do not give hot drinks to young children. If you are choosing a remedy for a child, ask a pharmacist rather than using the same medicines you would take yourself, as some cough and cold medicines are unsuitable for children.
Cold symptoms usually develop gradually over two to three days, and you should begin to feel better within one to two weeks. A blocked or runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a cough and tiredness are common symptoms.
If your symptoms are getting worse or have not started to improve after 10 days, speak to a GP rather than continuing to treat them as a straightforward cold. A cough lasting longer than three weeks should also be checked.
A cold usually develops gradually and mainly affects the nose and throat, whereas flu often comes on more suddenly and can cause marked fatigue, fever and aching. COVID-19 can cause very similar symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, tiredness and a blocked or runny nose.
Most people do not routinely need to test for COVID-19. However, if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment because you are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, you should take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as symptoms develop and follow the advice given by your GP or specialist team.
Starting vitamin C supplements after cold symptoms appear has not shown a consistent benefit in shortening the illness or reducing its severity. This is different from taking vitamin C regularly before becoming ill, which has shown a modest reduction in cold duration but does not generally prevent colds in the wider population.
Zinc may shorten a cold, but the evidence is uncertain and studies have used different products and doses. It can also cause side effects such as an unpleasant taste or an upset stomach, so it should not be presented as a guaranteed quick fix.
There is little evidence that echinacea or garlic supplements prevent colds or help you recover more quickly. If you are considering a supplement or herbal remedy, check with a pharmacist that it is suitable for you.
No. Colds are caused by viruses, while antibiotics treat bacterial infections, so antibiotics will not relieve cold symptoms or speed up recovery.
If your symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected, a GP can assess whether something else needs attention.
Most colds do not need a GP appointment, but some symptoms should be checked. Contact a GP if any of the following apply:
Seek an urgent GP appointment if you have a cough and find it hard to breathe, have chest pain or feel very unwell. Call 999 if you develop sudden chest pain or severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to get words out.
Learn more about our Private GPs, including 24/7/365 cover.There is no reliable way to get rid of a cold overnight. Rest and suitable symptom relief may help you feel more comfortable, but recovery usually takes longer.
There is no guaranteed way to stop a cold once symptoms start, and evidence for remedies that claim to prevent or shorten it is limited or uncertain. Focus on rest, fluids and safe symptom relief rather than taking extra doses of supplements or cold medicines.
You can pass on a cold while symptoms are still present, usually for one to two weeks. Wash your hands regularly, use tissues when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin promptly to reduce the risk of spreading it.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always speak to a qualified consultant about your specific diagnosis.
