A cold or flu can knock you out for days with a bad enough virus seeing you confined to bed for two or three days.
But according to experts, if you tackle the symptoms early enough you can ward off a cold before it really begins, reports The Sun .
If you wake up feeling like a cold is coming on, the best thing is to have a hot shower.
Professor Ron Eccles, a cold-and-flu expert at Cardiff University, says starting the day with a hot shower can 'loosen secretions' in our noses as the steams helps clear blocked sinuses.
The warm water can also bring relief to the aching limbs we often experience when we fall ill.
Oranges, kiwi and berries for breakfast will then give you a Vitamin C boost - which can reduce the length of a cold or flu.
But nutritionist Amanda Ursell says to avoid tea or coffee, as well as energy drinks, because caffeine can dehydrate you further.
Nutritional therapist Julie Silver recommends also using a saltpipe - an inhaler designed to help improve our respiratory systems - to alleviate coughing and sneezing. They can be bought online for around £15.
GP Dr Sarah Brewer recommends staying inside and keeping warm if you feeling a cold coming on.
"If the nose gets too cold, these immune systems don’t work properly, so you are more susceptible to infection," she said.
"Staying indoors also limits the spread of infection. If you have to go out, wear a scarf around your nose to keep it warm and, if necessary, use a moisturising nasal spray."
Ears, nose and throat specialist Adam Frosh says soup is warm, nutritious and makes us feel better and advises to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Alcohol can dehydrate you further so it's best to stay off the booze for a bit - and he recommends paracetamol and ibuprofen to fight the symptoms.
Nutritionist Amanda recommended snacking on nuts, as they contain selenium which supports our immune systems.
And Amanda said the hot spices can irritate the lining of your nose, making it easier to clear and helping us feel 'instantly' better - so go for something spicy like chili or curry.
