Beating coughs, colds and the flu: Your tips
Quick tips are how to find things you can do or buy to help with a specific problem.
If you have a health tip of your own to then please send it to us and it could be starring on the site very soon!
Last winter I went down with a really bad case of the flu. I took garlic tablets from my local chemist and am convinced they helped me to get better. I now take them regularly.
Trixie Karasiak, 38, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey
My mum swears by a hot toddy before bed if you have a heavy cold or flu because it helps ease congestion. Add a teaspoon of honey and a shot of whiskey or brandy to a cup of herbal tea. It'll also help you sleep!
Tracey Adrian, Reading, Berkshire
My tip is to wash your hands a few times during the day. It may sound cranky but that's how cold and flu germs are carried. My mum's doctor told her that! He said that most germs on toilet doorknobs too so if you wash your hands after you've touched them (and before you go to the loo) it'll really help!
Louise Thompson, Carlisle, Cumbria
I'm the type of person that gets a bad cold/flu a few times a year. Sometimes, I really can't afford to spend time lying in bed so I take Nurofen cold and flu tablets. They are a bit pricey but definitely worth the money as they are the only thing that makes me able to function again!
Sophie Allard, Kettering, Northamptonshire
My mum always told me not cover my sneezes with my hands because the germs and viruses cling to your palms, which you then spread around everything you touch. I always use a tissue and throw it away straight away. If I don't have a tissue, I turn my head away from people near me and cough into the air - she assures me that's better for everyone!
Kitty Lambert, Margate, Kent
I had the flu really bad a couple of years ago, it sounds obvious but lots of fluids and plenty of rest got me through - I couldn't move anyway. The second best thing that I'd recommend is to take ibuprofen. My aches and pains were so uncomfortable that I don't think I could have coped with out a little pain relief.
But, don't take aspirin to ease pain when you've got the flu, I've heard it's not advised.
Henny Davies, St Albans, Herts
More help and advice
- Get the facts about coughs and colds in babies
- Coughs and colds in young children
- Advice on coping with toddler coughs and colds
- All the facts about the common cold
- What you need in your medicine cabinet for coughs and colds
- And expert's guide to cough medicines
- Flu jabs: should you have one?
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Kerryn Walters, over 2 years
I always eat lots of beetroot when I'm feeling like I'm going to get ill because apparently its really good for fighting the flu virus, always seems to do the job for me. I sometimes blend it up into a smoothie with some carrot juice as well- guaranteed to keep the bugs away!
Report this commentJulia Kumar, over 2 years
Our Grandmas were right. Home-made chicken soup really is a natural antibiotic and beats off colds and flu. Canned soups don't work, you need a whole chicken to make your own soup for real immne boosting properties. Scientists have found that it reduces inflammation in your mucous membranes such as eyes, nose and throat. Julia Kumar, Coulsdon, Surrey
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bev, 6 months
2 save money on lemsips and stuff i buy cloudy lemonade and boil it in a pan and add sugar and sit back drink and sweat it out
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