About Today: Should You Use Zinc to Fight a Cold? 11/08/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor As I write this, I'm fighting off my yearly cold. This is good, because it means I'm right on schedule. I always get a cold right about this time. And isn't it nice to be consistent? Should You Use Zinc to Fight a Cold?  Because I'm a hypochondriac, I always have a full supply of "cold remedies" - many of them, absolutely useless. The question is, which ones? Is zinc, for example, a cold cure-all or just so much nonsense? Natural Remedies for the Common Cold Frequently Asked Questions About the Common Cold See More About:  cold and flu remedies  zinc  Before You Treat Your Cold  Here's a tip: There really isn't a cure for colds. All you're doing is trying to make yourself feel better while you bide your time and wait for it to go away. Evaluate Your Sinus Congestion What to Do About a Cough See More About:  common cold symptoms  cold and flu medications  natural cold treatments Is It a Cold or the Flu?  One thing that surprises me about having a cold is how awful it is. In fact, I inevitably think I have the flu when I first feel sick, because it seems impossible to feel so lousy with "just a cold." But the flu and the common cold are very different beasts indeed. What to Do About Fever Symptoms What to Do for a Child With a Cold See More About:  common cold symptoms  cold and flu medications  natural cold treatments Does Cold Weather Cause a Cold?  Even my Mom, who's a nurse, will say, "Put on a hat, or you'll catch your death of cold." But is that just an expression, or does cold weather really give you a cold? When to See a Doctor About a Sore Throat All About the Common Cold See More About:  illness prevention  common cold symptoms  flu symptoms