Colds are caused by viruses; not bacterial infections. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.
Don’t smoke -
Just say no to cigarettes. Inhaling smoke will further irritate your throat and make you cough more.
Myth: Antibiotics are the only way to cure the common cold.
Fact: Because antibiotics treat bacterial infections and colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics will not treat a cold. Additionally, overuse of antibiotics has led to increasingly resistant bacteria, which means when you do have a bacterial infection; antibiotics may not be able to treat it.
Myth: Eating chicken soup is a cure for the common cold.
Fact: While eating a bowl of chicken soup feels soothing on a dry, scratchy throat, it does not have special powers to cure a cold. Chicken is a good source of protein and electrolytes to keep you hydrated and nourished while you fight off your cold.
Myth: Drinking milk increases nasal mucous during a cold.
Fact: Milk and mucous may look slightly similar but there is no evidence that drinking milk will increase the amount of mucous.