STEP 1 Take a decongestant or antihistamine 吃一片解充血药或者抗组胺剂

Use a decongestant spray or a decongestant tablet. Cold viruses thrive in trapped mucus.

Act quickly at the first symptoms of a cold. These include a scratchy throat, runny nose, and sneezing.

STEP 2 Use a mucus thinner 使用粘液稀释剂

Use over-the-counter mucus thinner to prevent nasal secretions from becoming trapped in your sinuses.

STEP 3 Blow your nose gently 轻轻擦拭鼻子

Close one nostril and blow gently through the other side. Hard blowing forces fluids into your sinuses and can lead to an infection.

STEP 4 Have some chicken soup 喝点鸡汤

Eat chicken soup. There is evidence that chicken soup might relieve inflammation contributing to cold symptoms.

STEP 5 Apply warmth to your sinuses 为鼻窦增温

Drink a cup of tea or place a warm washcloth on your cheeks to force the microscopic hairs – cilia – in your nasal passage to pass mucus on.

STEP 6 Call your doctor if symptoms persist 如果症状持续，请联系医生

Call your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after two weeks.

A study reported in the July 28, 2005 New England Journal of Medicine found echinacea to be ineffective in preventing a cold or easing its symptoms.