Hi - Original poster here. I was digging around the net about post nasal drip and noticed that some people had some success with nasal irrigation. Basically you stand with your head over the sink and gently pour or spray a weak salt water solution in your nose. The water and all the gunk that's making you cough come out your nose into the sink. I tried it on myself using the infant nose aspirator to see how it worked. Not exactly pleasant but not horrible either. After much prodding, I persuaded my daughter to try it. We were amazed at the difference it made. (We were also amazed by all the stuff that came out of her head.) Her coughing and gagging have decreased by 75%. If you have post nasal drip, I suggest you try it.

viral or not, you can treat the symptoms? Why wouldn't someone do that? Because most of the OTC cold meds don't really do much if at all. It's over-medicating that is pointless.The exception would be to take specific one ingredient relief for various symptoms. Aspirin or the like for fever/pain. Guaifenesin to break up mucus. (it will work on thick mucus anywhere, not just lungs, your body doesn't care). I don't see how Airborn is still on the market. I guess only because it really can't be regulated like real drugs since the scammers market it as a supplement. Hiowever it's real danger is it's vitamin A content. Take too much of that snake oil and you can exchange your cold for something far more detrimental. From WEB MD Vitamin A is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or given as a shot into the muscle in amounts less than 10,000 units daily. Vitamin A is POSSBILY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses. Some scientific research suggests that higher doses might increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, particularly in older people. Adults who eat low-fat dairy products, which are fortified with vitamin A, and a lot of fruits and vegetables usually do not need vitamin A supplements or multivitamins that contain vitamin A. Long-term use of large amounts of vitamin A might cause serious side effects including fatigue, irritability, mental changes, anorexia, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, excessive sweating, and many other side effects. In women who have passed menopause, taking too much vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture. There is growing concern that taking high doses of antioxidant supplements such as vitamin A might do more harm than good. Some research shows that taking high doses of vitamin A supplements might increase the chance of death from all causes and possibly other serious side effects.

This spring, I took Claritin-24 hour (note: not with D) almost every day for 3 months for mild allergies. Wondering if my allergy season had past, I stopped on May 4. By May 5 I was suddenly and totally free of the constant craving for sugar and fat that had plagued me for many weeks, had made me stock up on cookies and ice cream at every store trip and gain much weight. My cravings had been such that I could not sit and watch TV without chewing on something tasty. Six weeks later, the cravings have not returned. For stuffy nose or leaking eyes, I take the same Claritin 2 or 3 times a week. It's hard to find online much about the weight-gaining effects of antihistamines - I assume due to the pharmaceutical industry's huge presence on the web. Other personal health info that may be involved: I am 75 years-old. Developed hives (where legs rub together walking a treadmill) for the first time in my life, after being in swimming pools twice in past year; cured quickly with anti-histamine (Claritin-24). I took the Rx steroidal spray Nasonex for several years to combat a life-long post-nasal drip. Last year it seemed not to work as well, and as the Claritin was helping the problem, my doctor said to quit and if needed we would try something else. The Nasonex supply ran out during April. I seem to be more delicious than ever to the no-seeum insects (this is Florida). I hope this helps someone or brings me more info on the subjects of histamines, anti-histamines, or cravings!

I never worry about getting it again. I don't believe I've ever encountered a better living example of the descriptor "frequently wrong but never in doubt". Olliesmom, as you of course know one certainly can be reinfected with COVID, although your statement may be true that you simply don't worry about getting it again. Which of course is your privilege, as is the case with any and all incorrect and ignorant beliefs. DLM, like you my life consists of making daily risk/reward decisions on what's worth doing. The meeting I mentioned? An honor society at which I was nominating someone I respect deeply and wish to recognize. This Friday we're joining my son and DIL for dinner at a local resort (hopefully seated on the patio) where we are giving them a weekend babymoon. I went on that beach trip with my daughter and son in law this summer. OTOH for me it's not worth the risk to go out to restaurants right now. Or hang out with my neighbors in close indoor quarters. Or go to a movie. Or take off my mask in the sparsely populated gym when I work out a few times weekly--it's worth it to me to try to stay fit, but not enough to joyfully quit masking up even though as of Monday that's no longer mandatory. I'm perhaps foolishly trying to limit my exposure to only activities that mean the most to me. Whether my luck will run out, as your husband's did DLM, is a conundrum. But I surely hear and understand you....seeing beloved family is probably the most important reason of all to get out in the world today.