QotD: How To Kick A Cold

What do you do to get rid of a cold or flu? 
Submitted by ashenflowers.

Short answer:  You wait.

Longer answer 1:  A cold--

You do what you can to be more comfortable--soup, lots of liquids, rest rest rest. 

Avoid at all costs daytime tv, as it'll just get you sicker AND depressed.  But this is an excellent time to catch up on movies or anything TIVO'd, as long as you're not skipping sleep to do so.  (Staying up until 3am to watch all of last season's LOST episodes will not put you on a path to wellness.) 

When you can, eat nutritiously--fruits and veggies and such.  Too much dairy makes some people gunky.  But I'll admit-when I'm whiny and sick, I need my cocoa--phlegm be damned.

Obviously, it's important to keep an eye on yourself to make sure you aren't getting a secondary infection-waiting it out doesn't work as well if it feels like someone is sitting on your chest, if your throat hurts so badly that you can't swallow, or anything is making it so you can't sleep.

Longer answer 2:  A flu--

First, you whine that maybe you should have gotten that flu shot.  Then you consider getting a doctor's appointment so you can get the cool anti-viral med that may not cure you, but will make you feel like you aren't going to die.

Next, consider meds to reduce fever and soothe the aches.  Some people have better luck with ibuprofen, others with tylenol.  Personal body chemistry is weird and wacky. 

After that, follow the steps to wellness for a cold, as listed above.