Getting plenty of rest and staying well hydrated are the two mainstays of self care. Bed rest is not advised for colds unless the individual feels exhausted, but many people with flu are too unwell to get out of bed.

Various foods and supplements hit the headlines every so often as the best way to stave off or ‘cure’ a cold or flu, but there is no compelling evidence for these. Echinacea, garlic, vitamin C and zinc have all been the subjects of Cochrane reviews, but there is either weak or no clear evidence supporting their use.

There is some evidence that encouraging people to stop smoking at the time they have colds or flu may be more effective than at other times.

Preventing spread

When people seek help with symptoms of a cold or flu, giving advice on basic good hygiene measures may help to prevent spread. These include washing hands frequently with soap and hot water when the person has symptoms or comes into contact with someone with symptoms; avoiding sharing towels and, for children with infection, discouraging the sharing of toys. People should use tissues to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and should put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible.

Ethanol-based hand sanitisers, which have become widely used when immediate access to soap and water is difficult in everyday settings, may contribute to reducing transmission of colds and flu.

Colds are so widespread that it makes little difference in spreading infection by taking time off nursery, school or work. Attendance should be determined by how unwell the person feels. People with flu are often advised to take a week off to recover and this may help reduce transmission.