Having a cold can be a miserable experience. Lasting symptoms like coughing, congestion, and fatigue can leave you feeling run down and uncomfortable. While there is no specific cure for the common cold, supportive care can help ease your symptoms and speed up your recovery. In this blog post, we’ll outline how to recognize the symptoms of a common cold, and explain some of the best foods to eat when you’re feeling under the weather.

For same-day general illness treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Paramus! Our medical providers can examine your symptoms and make the best recommendations for care. The clinic is open seven days a week and accepts all walk-in patients.

How To Recognize Symptoms of the Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system. It’s caused by several different viruses, with the most common being rhinovirus. The symptoms of the common cold usually develop within one to three days after exposure.

Common cold symptoms typically include:

• Coughing
• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Mild headache
• Low-grade fever

What To Eat When You Have a Cold

1. Chicken Soup:

Chicken soup has been regarded as a cold remedy for a long time. The warm broth helps soothe a sore throat, while the chicken provides nutrients and protein to help your body fight off the infection. Additionally, the steam from the soup can help clear your nasal passages and reduce congestion.

2. Ginger

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, which makes it a great food to eat when you have a cold. It helps reduce inflammation in the body, which alleviates symptoms like coughing and congestion. Consider adding fresh ginger to hot water to make a soothing tea, or incorporating ginger into soup.

3. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in vitamin C, which works to boost your immune system and fight off colds. They also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce congestion and coughing. Try eating organic citrus fruits on their own, or incorporating them into salads or smoothies.

4. Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale and Swiss chard are all packed with vitamins and nutrients that can help boost your immune system and fight off colds. They are rich in antioxidants, which is effective at reducing inflammation in the body. Try eating your leafy greens in salads, smoothies and soups.

5. Honey

Honey is a natural cough suppressant, making it a great food to eat when you have a cold. Honey soothes a sore throat and reduces coughing. Try adding honey to tea or water, or even incorporate it into oatmeal or yogurt.

Get Cold Relief at AFC Urgent Care Paramus

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are steps you can take to prevent spreading the virus and alleviating your symptoms. Make sure to wash your hands regularly, avoid close contact with sick people, and get plenty of water and rest. At AFC Urgent Care Paramus, a healthcare professional can help provide further testing and treatment options. The walk-in clinic is open seven days a week and never requires appointments. Just walk-in today! If you have any additional questions about the common cold, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (201) 262-2010.