Articles
Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
Cold remedies with conflicting evidence
Content
Cold remedies that work
Soothe a sore throat
Ease stuffiness
Relieve pain
Try cold and cough medicines
Cold remedies that don't work
Medicines called antibiotics
Cold and cough medicines in young children
Cold remedies with mixed study results
Vitamin C
Zinc
Take care of yourself
Content
Cold remedies that work
Soothe a sore throat
Ease stuffiness
Relieve pain
Try cold and cough medicines
Cold remedies that don't work
Medicines called antibiotics
Cold and cough medicines in young children
Cold remedies with mixed study results
Vitamin C
Zinc
Take care of yourself
Vitamin C
Taking vitamin C has not been shown to help prevent colds.
But some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten how long symptoms last. Vitamin C may help people at high risk of colds because they're often in contact with the viruses that cause colds. For instance, children who go to group child care during the winter are at high risk.
