One expert recommends taking 13.3 milligrams every two hours when suffering from a cold or flu. Vitamin C does not appear to prevent colds or flu but may help reduce the duration and severity. Some experts recommend 200 milligrams per day, while others suggest up to 5,000 milligrams per day. To feel more comfortable while waiting for cold and flu symptoms to subside, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, especially fruit juices and hot liquids, and eat healthy foods so the body has plenty of energy to fight the infection. Emphasis should be on eating fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C - citrus fruits, bananas, berries, peppers and other green vegetables, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Medications can also be helpful in treating the symptoms of a cold and the flu.
Acetaminophen or aspirin can help relieve the aches and pains that accompany colds and flu. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children and teenagers not be given any medication containing aspirin when they have a viral infection. Use of aspirin can lead to Reye's syndrome, which can be a life-threatening illness. Aspirin also causes the body to spread more of the cold virus in nasal secretions creating a greater risk to others. Researchers have also found that both aspirin and acetaminophen may suppress the immune system in adults and can increase nasal stuffiness.