Treating a Cold, Part 2

So what do you do when the sore throat is alleviated, but your body is trying to drown itself in its own fluids? Check for a fever. If you have a serious one, or it lasts very long, get thee to a doctor! It's more than a minor cold, and the more serious respiratory infections can sometimes kill.
If you have no fever or a minor one that doesn't last more than a few days, try these things:
1. for sinus congestion, my allergist recommends a simple decongestant. The flowing nose is for a purpose-to wash out the virus and any sloughed-off infected cells- so using an antihistamine to dry things up is counter-productive, unless you have asthma or another serious lung problem. Then your doctor is the one to ask.
2. If you are stopped up, a trip to a good Mexican or Indian restaurant (for takeout if you want to minimize exposing others) is warranted. You'll actually taste the food, and the "heat" will get that fluid flowing out of your poor achy sinuses. Ask them to make it spicy- if you dare.
3. Steam yourself. Drink tea, and breathe in the vapors from the steaming cup. Drink soup, same thing. Put steaming water in a large bowl. Add a drop or two of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils. Put a large bath towel over your head and the bowl to form a tent. Breathe. The menthol vapors should open things up, unless you are allergic. Then see a doctor.
Take steamy showers with abandon. You are ill. You need to enjoy something.
4. For coughs, take an expectorant, not a cough suppressant or a multi-drug combo containing one. An expectorant will help thin the mucus so you can cough it out and get better, faster.
5. Tone down the dairy consumption and go hog wild on citrus. Dairy is supposed to be mucus-producing, and vitamin C from food may help. Besides, you can probably taste an orange better than a glass of milk, anyway.
6. If you have a really good friend who knows massage or pressure points, they may be able to help you. I went to a chiropractor with a sinus headache once (he was helping me with a hip problem, but as long as I was there...). He pressed some points on my face, and the dam up there broke loose. He didn't claim to cure anything, just to help.
7. Rest and let other people help you. Sleep as much as you can, and let your body fight off the disease. It'll be over in about 7 days, no matter what you do. Might as well take your body's message and rest.