To be sure you get enough, drink a full glass of water or other liquid every two hours. Fluids help to keep the mucus more liquid and easier to clear out, and also helps prevent complications such as bronchitis and ear infections. Alcohol and drinks containing caffeine in large quantities are not good fluid replacers since they tend to cause dehydration. Broth or chicken soup is excellent when you have a cold because they soothe your throat. You may also want to consider drinking juices.
Smoke irritates the bronchial passages, which prolongs the cold symptoms.
Refrain from smoking on those days when the cough and scratchiness of the throat are a problem. Take hot, steaming showers to relieve congestion in the chest and nasal passages. Do not take someone else's medication, or penicillin tablets you may have saved. You may be causing a more serious problem than you already have. Don't bundle up to sweat out a fever.