In recent years, I had read that, often the best medicine to take when you catch a cold, is an allergy med -- either an antihistamine or histamine blocker. I can attest to the fact that, ever since (years ago) I started the daily allergy pill (first loratadine then cetirizine) I have had much fewer colds and faster recoveries with weaker symptoms.
Just yesterday, I was actually scratching my head as to how it could be possible, that something that is meant to suppress your immune system's response (antihistamine/histamine blockers that fill in for allergens attacked by your immune system) should in fact make your colds worse, no? After all, if a cold is meant to damage your body and your body is responding appropriately, then by blocking your immune system's ability to fight off cold viruses, you're in effect causing damage to your body.
But such is not the case.
It turns out, cold viruses in fact do relatively limited harm to our bodies, but the effects of colds are directly caused by chemicals that result from our immune system responding to the virus.
So the answer is: If you have allergies like I do, there is no reason to boost your already active and robust immune system, but rather, to allow a cold to run its course and continue to take your daily antihistamine/histamine blocker, and all will be good.
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