However, the symptoms of the common cold may be relieved by getting plenty of rest, drinking a lot of fluids and taking over the counter or prescription medicines.

Proper Medication

Decongestants

Most helpful in alleviating symptoms of the common cold are over-the-counter decongestants. But again, taking these medicines will not have any effect on the duration or intensity of the onset of the common cold virus, only its symptoms.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are beneficial in alleviating runny nose and watery eyes for those afflicted with the common cold virus.

Cough Suppressants with Dextromethorphan

Medicines with dextromethorphan can help alleviate cough associated with the common cold, but this is only with respect to adults and not children.

Vapor Rubs

For children, the symptoms of the common cold can be managed or alleviated by massaging the child's neck and chest for thirty minutes prior to bedtime. This is a traditional home remedy for the common cold symptoms in children, but it is now proven by a recent medical study to be beneficial as well.

What Not To Take

Antibiotics

It is consistently held that antibiotics are not recommended for the treatment of common cold symptoms in both children and adult patients. Common cold symptoms result from the infection from the common cold virus. Viruses cannot be eliminated by antibiotics.

Cough Suppressants with Codeine and Hydrocodone

Cough caused by the common cold will not treated by taking codeine and hydrocodone.

No-Drowse Antihistamines

The use of antihistamines that are of the no-drowse variety are not beneficial in alleviating common cold symptoms.

Prevention

No doubt, prevention is the best cure. To prevent the onset of the common cold and severity of its symptoms, it is recommended that attention must be paid to physical fitness, as a recent study proves that those who are physically active most of the week experienced the common cold for half the amount of time than those who are physically inactive. Furthermore, those who were physically fit experienced less severity of the common cold symptoms by almost forty-one percent.