COLD & FLU RELIEF
tips for relieving cold symptoms
The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment.
The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Please consult a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment.
On the long list of tasks to tackle today, a cold is the last thing you want to deal with. Although it takes your body seven to ten days to fully recover from a cold, it doesn’t have to knock you out completely. Check out these tips for how to feel better faster.
Get Plenty of Rest
Here’s your excuse to binge your favorite TV show. While it might not feel like you’re doing anything at all, trust us, your body is working hard to fight off that cold. You’ll just put more stress on your immune system if you don’t give yourself the day off.
Drink Lots of Fluids
Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration). Stick to water or drinks with electrolytes and avoid soft drinks or beverages with high sugar content.
Use a Clean Humidifier or Cool Mist Vaporizer
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Cool-mist humidifiers may help ease coughing and congestion due to a cold.
Take an OTC Cold Medicine
At the first signs of a cold, ask your doctor or pharmacist about an over-the-counter cold medication to help relieve symptoms quickly. Try Alka-Seltzer™ Cold, Cold & Flu + Congestion Severe Fast Dissolve Tablets, Citrus/Strawberry Honey Flavor which can help relieve body ache, headache, sore throat, cough and runny nose. Always use over-the-counter medications as directed.
Try a Saline Nasal Spray
Using saline nasal sprays or drops can help clear out excessive mucus and decongest your stuffy nose to help you breathe easier.
Gargle Saltwater
A mild sore throat associated with cold or flu symptoms can be made more comfortable with a saltwater gargle few times daily. Simply mix 1/4 tsp salt to 1/2 cup water, mix to dissolve, gargle and spit... in the sink, of course!
Sip on Warm Tea
Make yourself a cozy mug of tea. A non-caffeinated herbal tea, can help soothe your throat and ease your cough. Don’t like tea? Mix a packet of Alka-Seltzer™ Cold, Cold & Flu + Congestion Severe Day/Night Fast Hot Liquid, Honey Lemon Zest Flavor with hot water for fast relief of cold and flu symptoms. Use as directed.
Go to Bed Early
That’s right — no staying up past your bedtime. Your body needs at least eight hours of sleep so it can fight off that cold with everything it’s got. If congestion is getting in the way of quality sleep, adjust your position with some pillows so that your head and chest are elevated slightly.
The bottom line is nothing will cure your cold right away. However, by following these tips and counting on Alka-Seltzer™ Cold, cold and flu products, you can relieve your worst cold symptoms fast. Before you know it, you’ll be back to yourself in no time!
Always use over the counter medications as directed.
References
- CDC. Chest Cold (Acute Bronchitis) Basics. Accessed June 26, 2026.
- UPMC. What to Eat and Drink When You Have a Cold. Accessed June 26, 2026.
- National Library of Medicine. Efficacy and Safety of Sea Salt-Derived Physiological Saline Nasal Spray as Add on Therapy in Patients with Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Accessed June 29, 2026.
- ENT Health. Sore Throats. Accessed June 26, 2026.
- Healthline. What Are the Best Teas for Soothing a Sore Throat? Accessed June 08, 2026.
- UPMC. Congested and Stuffy? Try These Sleep Positions to Get Some Rest. Accessed June 25, 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick? Accessed June 25, 2026.
