Since there is no cure for the viral infection, common cold remedies are designed to relieve symptoms of the infection. Doctors often recommend a common cold remedy to relieve symptoms, not only because it will make you feel better, but also because it may help prevent secondary bacterial infections.

One myth concerning common cold remedies is that you should allow symptoms to persist. The belief was that allowing the nose to run and sneezing to continue would expel the cold viruses from the body and you would get "all better, faster". In actuality, blowing the nose forces mucus, bacteria and viruses into the sinuses, which can cause the sinuses to become infected. Post-nasal drip (drainage into the back of the throat) can cause the throat, adenoids, or tonsils to become irritated and infected. So, allowing a cold to "run its course" by avoiding a common cold remedy that may relieve congestion and reduce nasal drainage will not only prolong symptoms, but may lead to complications.

In addition, sneezing and coughing spreads the virus to others. The rhino virus, one of the viruses that causes common cold symptoms, can live for three hours on the skin and other surfaces. If you sneeze, wipe your nose or cough and then shake hands with someone, then that person may contract the virus. Likewise, if you touch a surface (answer the phone, open a door) anyone who comes along within the next three hours may contract the virus. If you do not want to take common cold remedies for yourself, think of others and do it for them.

There is no effective prescription medication for the common cold, so a visit to the doctor is unnecessary. A common cold remedy can be purchased over the counter, at pharmacies, department and grocery stores. Choosing one depends on the symptoms you are trying to relieve. Multi-symptom common cold remedies may address more symptoms than you are currently experiencing, leaving you with a feeling of being over medicated.

It is always a good idea to read the label of the common cold remedy and check the ingredients. Some products contain aspirin, which can upset the stomach and should not be used by children because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome. Many products, particularly cough suppressants, contain alcohol, sometimes in relatively large amounts. These products cause drowsiness and should not be used by persons with drinking problems, alcohol allergies, children and those with liver disease. They should also be avoided if you will be driving or operating equipment. All of these warnings are on the packages of common cold remedies, but some people fail to read them.

A zinc nasal gel, such as Zicam, is a common cold remedy that is believed to shorten the duration of symptoms. Two complete double blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown that participants who used a zinc nasal gel within the first 24 hours after noticing symptoms were completely symptom free in as little as two days. Participants who received placebo continued to experience symptoms for as long as two weeks. The down side to these common cold remedies is that several people reported losing their sense of smell after using them.

Zinc lozenges are sometimes recommended as a common cold remedy, but are only effective in about 50% of the people who take them and only shorten duration of symptoms slightly. Of additional concern is that high dosages of zinc may lead to anemia and since zinc is included in many multi-vitamins, is found in food and used in immune system boosters, taking additional zinc supplements could put you over your daily recommended allowance. Again, check the labels of the products that you use on a regular basis.

Some people use Echinacea as a common cold remedy. This plant was used more than any other for medicinal purposes among North American Plains Indians. However, prolonged use as a preventative may be toxic to the liver. Another plant, andrographis paniculata, is believed to be safer and has proven to be effective in clinical studies, both as a preventative and to shorten duration of viral illnesses.

One immune system booster contains both appropriate amounts of zinc and andrographis paniculata, as well as Vitamin C and numerous other ingredients which have been studied for their effectiveness as common cold remedies.