Got a tickle in your throat and some mild cold symptoms? While it might be too late to dodge illness entirely, there are steps you can take to avoid a prolonged and miserable cold.
Dr. Shireen, a general practitioner with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), recently shared a simple yet effective tip for handling coughs and colds this winter in a popular TikTok video (@doctorshireen), which has gathered nearly 1.9 million views since its release on October 12.
The video offers a “GP approved” remedy for minimizing both the duration and severity of cold symptoms. Dr. Shireen suggests taking a combination of vitamin C and zinc right at the first sign of a cold, such as an itchy throat or runny nose.
“Just start it,” she recommends, noting that both supplements can be found in dissolvable tablet form for easy consumption.
While colds can’t be completely prevented, she points out, research indicates that vitamin C and zinc can significantly ease symptoms. “I’ve been doing this for a couple of years, and I can tell you, it really works,” she assures viewers.
A study published in BMC Public Health in December 2023 confirmed that the common cold is a major cause of sickness and absenteeism, with vitamin C shortening the duration of colds, especially in more severe cases. Meanwhile, an earlier study in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene highlighted how zinc might cut the average cold duration by about 2.25 days, providing relief for many.
Overall, “intake of certain micronutrients enhances the immune system,” suggesting they may help defend against infections.
This advice comes at a time when respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are circulating, but the CDC reports overall activity is currently low. Vaccination remains crucial in reducing hospitalizations.
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