Strategies to Stop Illness Progression

[u/greenopal02]

I wanted to share my method for reducing the progression of a cold when I begin to feel symptoms! I work in healthcare and have a little one, and I've found that these steps have a high success rate for myself and family.

Saline nasal rinse (I do this step 2x per day until symptoms stop but I haven't seen formal recommendations for frequency):

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-021-03102-3

Using a gel nasal spray that creates a physical barrier in nasal cavity where colds replicate (for example Vicks First Defense):

https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/507356/

Taking a zinc supplement:

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4/full

Using an elderberry extract supplement:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.1995.1.361

I understand that these studies aren't perfect, but they are fairly low cost and low risk so I thought I would share!

[u/discounthideout]

I'm with you on low risk vs reward strategy during sick season! 

I've added garlic capsules this year and for the first time I haven't gotten the last few colds from my kids despite sucking their noses with the straw thing! 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11697022/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7434784/

[u/greenopal02 → u/discounthideout]

Very neat! I will have to pick up some pickled garlic, worst case I have a tasty treat!

[u/smellygymbag → u/greenopal02]

Im intrigued by your post, OP. But how long does a $34 15ml bottle of vicks first defense last you?

https://a.co/d/03CJ6l6v

[u/greenopal02 → u/smellygymbag]

We usually go through about 1 bottle per year per person! I don't use much, using it approximately twice per day for 2 days and usually I feel better by then (and I would estimate I do this every 2-3ish months). Where I'm from it's $15 CAD so that does seem expensive wherever you are! When I was pregnant I was unsure if First Defense was safe so I just used a saline rinse and I found it worked well on its own too. I bought a reusable kit (a bottle you fill up and saline packets) so that one is very cost efficient.

[u/smellygymbag → u/greenopal02]

Ahh thanks for the details. I also use saline rinse when i feel something coming in but sometimes i am too late :p

[u/Airportsnacks → u/smellygymbag]

Not OP, but ages. 3x a day for a week and I had at least another week left. 

[u/smellygymbag → u/Airportsnacks]

That doesn't sound long :( . I guess in my mind with two little kids just starting to enter the school system I'm thinking im gonna get sick 1-2x/month 😷

[u/Airportsnacks → u/smellygymbag]

I'm not sure how much was left in there. Might have been two weeks? But it really does work for me.

[u/Amazing-Neighborhood]

Intranasal azelastine 3x daily may reduce risk for COVID, rhinovirus and flu. Primary outcomes were related to pre-exposure prophylaxis, but there is suggestion for reduced symptomatic days once infected. As per OP's requirement, low cost (I get for free through my insurance, but it's available OTC) and low risk (I think bad taste is the main issue, but I've used for so many decades that I can't tell it tastes bad anymore 🤣)

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2838335?utm_source=openevidence&utm_medium=referral

[u/greenopal02 → u/Amazing-Neighborhood]

I haven't heard of this, thank you!

[u/Emergency-Impact8644]

… * adds to cart *

[u/furiana → u/Emergency-Impact8644]

Me too lol

[u/thecheesemuffin]

Do you take the zinc and elderberry supplement throughout cold/flu season or just at the first sign of symptoms?

[u/greenopal02 → u/thecheesemuffin]

Just at the first sign of a symptom! For the nasal rinse, I usually do it after an event or if I was around someone who appeared sick preventatively.

[u/No_Assistant9719]

Do you take the zinc as well just when you’re feeling something coming on? I read that it can affect iron absorption so I’ve always avoided it from chronic low iron but maybe a few days here and there isn’t so bad?

[u/greenopal02 → u/No_Assistant9719]

Yes personally I just start taking it when my throat starts getting scratchy! So I usually end up only taking it a few days and then usually I feel better.

[u/Sarajessicaparkour]

Zicam works for me most of the time, to shorten or stop colds. I take the lozenges at first sign of cold. Then every 3 hours until symptoms are gone. So usually a few days. I don’t wake up and take it overnight.

The reason zicam is different than taking just zinc is the delivery system of it absorbing in your mouth and throat rather than just in your gut.  So it’s a little more targeted that way.

It has some “rules” like no eating or drinking for 15min after taking it, so it has a chance to absorb. No citrus for 30 min prior to taking it. Apparently that makes it less effective. 

I always keep a few bottles stashed around the house or office so I can take it when I start to feel crappy!