Can You Shorten the Length of a Cold?

A doctor’s advice for getting rid of a cold quickly, plus the remedies that help with symptom relief

Adam Rosenbluth, M.D.,

AARP

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Published December 29, 2025

Illustration of a patient purchasing OTC cold supplements and flu relief products at a checkout counter.

James Yates

Is there any way to shorten how long this nasty cold will last?

Tell me if this isn’t true: Colds usually hit at the most inconvenient times. We come down with something right before a trip, a big family gathering or the week we promised to babysit our grandkids. So it’s natural to wonder whether you can nudge the virus out the door a little faster.

When patients ask me this question, I usually joke, “First, try not to get one!” Wash your hands, avoid touching your face and don’t get caught in a crowd if possible. But let’s say prevention doesn’t pan out. You wake up congested or drippy, and now you want to know if there’s a way to speed things up. The answer is that there are no guarantees. But yes, you can help your body recover faster from a cold.

First, two over-the-counter (OTC) classics, vitamin C and zinc, deserve renewed respect. We’ve all heard about those remedies, and for good reason. Several studies, including a recent analysis, indicate potential benefits when they’re used correctly.

For instance, a 2024 review of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Group found that zinc may reduce the duration of a common cold by about two days, but noted that the evidence wasn’t conclusive. Still, two days is significant, especially when you’re feeling lousy, so it’s certainly worth trying.

As for vitamin C, a meta-analysis of studies found that it can reduce the severity and length of a cold. Still, there’s no evidence that taking it daily will prevent you from getting sick.

One of the most interesting recent findings comes from beyond the supplement aisle. A 2024 study from the University of Edinburgh examined the use of saline nasal drops in children and found that they reduced a cold’s duration by two full days. Adults can also use saline sprays, rinses or warm, steamy showers — not hot ones — for a moisturizing, mucus-loosening effect.

But the most powerful, and most underestimated, tools are still rest and hydration. Imagine taking a test, plus a second test at the same time. How well would you do? When you try to push yourself through a cold, you’re giving your body two jobs to do at once. Rest allows your immune system to focus on healing. Hydration thins mucus, prevents dangerous symptoms of dehydration and helps you recover sooner.

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For symptom relief, OTC medications such as NSAIDS (like Advil) and acetaminophen (like Tylenol) are excellent and often undervalued for colds. They won’t shorten the duration, but they make the ride much smoother, as do warm lemon water, honey and gargling.

OTC remedies that are dedicated to cold symptoms won’t cut the time you have a cold, but they can tame its symptoms and help you feel better. I want to stress that you should read the labels on these products carefully. Folks with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, liver or kidney issues, asthma or other chronic breathing problems should first speak with their health care provider to get a green light. Also, be aware that the Food and Drug Administration has said that phenylephrine, a common decongestant found in many cold medications, is not effective.

What doesn’t help? Antibiotics. A cold is caused by a virus, usually rhinovirus or enterovirus, and antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria. They won’t make you feel better faster, and can even have harmful side effects.

And when should you call your doctor?

Colorful mucus in the morning doesn’t automatically mean you have an infection. It’s the all-day persistent discoloration, accompanied by worsening symptoms, that may mean it’s time for a medical evaluation.

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If you have underlying heart or lung conditions, are dehydrated, can’t keep fluids down, become short of breath or develop a high or worsening fever, or if your symptoms last seven to 10 days without improvement, it’s time to make an appointment. I also encourage older adults who live alone to have someone check in daily until they’re back to normal.

While you can’t cure a cold, you can shorten it. With vitamin C, zinc, saline, rest, hydration and overall good symptom management, you should start to feel better by day four, even though the whole thing may last about a week. Think about shortening a cold as teamwork: Your body fights the virus while you support the process. Together, you can make a measurable difference. In the meantime, don’t forget to carry that wad of tissues.