Chills and fever
Drink as much water and juice as possible—preferably 2 quarts a day—to counter the dehydration that causes much of the discomfort associated with fever.
Sore throat
Gargle with warm salt water—1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon salt in 8 oz of water—to reduce the inflammation. Keep your throat moist by using a vaporizer and sucking on hard candy or fruit-juice ice cubes.
Stuffy nose
To thin nasal secretions, use a room vaporizer, eat hot, spicy foods, eat or drink hot broth (the proverbial chicken soup cure) and other hot drinks (e.g., tea with honey), and refrain from consuming dairy products. Use saline nose drops or nasal spray (Ocean or NaSal); you can make your own by adding 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to 8 oz water and applying the solution with a bulb syringe. Take a long, hot shower. Try sleeping on your back with your head raised on two or three pillows.
Runny nose
While there is no simple remedy, it is important to blow your nose gingerly, with a gentle, steady pressure, to avoid pushing the infection into your ears.
Cough
To counter a dry, irritated cough, suck on cough drops to keep the throat moist. If the cough is tight or causes chest pain or brings up thick mucus, drink lots of liquids (see advice for chills and fever), including hot broth, and eat hot, spicy foods to thin the secretions. A room vaporizer and a hot, steamy shower are also helpful.
Headache
Relieve sinus congestion by following the advice given above for treating a stuffy nose. Apply cold packs or hot packs (whichever brings more relief) to the painful area.
Labored breathing
Relieve wheezing due to lung congestion by consuming caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, colas); the caffeine helps to dilate bronchial passages, making breathing easier.
Sore nose and lips
Irritation caused by nasal secretions and aggravated by nose blowing can be eased by a light application of petroleum jelly or an emollient lotion.
Fatigue
Listen to your body and rest. Extra sleep at night and a daytime nap or two are helpful. If you are well enough to exercise, it will help counter the muscle weakness that often follows an acute illness. But don't overdo it; cut back on the intensity and duration of your usual workout until your fatigue abates, then build up again gradually.