Sniffles! - What helps?: The throat is scratchy: Can I stop a beginning cold?
Vitamin C or zinc tablets, ginger shots and immediate rest: When people notice the first signs of a cold, they often do many things in the hope of still averting the worst. Does that work? A doctor weighs in.
According to Markus Tullius, Chief Physician and General Practitioner at Helios Klinik Wipperfürth, it is not possible to stop a cold once symptoms have appeared. The incubation period of the virus is typically around 48 hours, and by the time symptoms are felt, the body is already fighting a high viral load. While remedies like ginger shots, hot tea, and warm baths may not prevent a cold, they can provide comfort and a sense of control.
Vitamin C and zinc supplements may slightly shorten the duration of symptoms, but their effectiveness is not scientifically proven and can have side effects. Tullius recommends resting and waiting for the body to fight off the infection, as colds are "self-limiting" and will resolve on their own with time.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
