I'm not a doctor but I watch TV, and the best thing to do is prevent exposure to other people. Especially little kids. When my children were small, we got colds, flus, and streps all the time. Now they are grown, and DW and I catch a cold maybe once every three years.
Colds manifest themselves differently every time. To reduce discomfort from sore throat, my Rx is to take hot tea with a dollop of honey and a tsp of bourbon. Doesn't have to cure squat, since for me it's all about symptom suppression.
For aches, consider aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen is an analgesic, but not an anti-inflammatory, so I don't bother with it. Curiously, for fever-related muscle aches, I find exercise to be therapeutic. I hate doing it, but afterwards I ache less.
If I had access to a sauna or steam room, I would be in the heat early and often. I have not found clear consensus from the medical community regarding the effectiveness of these treatments, but my own experience indicates they do provide temporary relief from burning sinuses, coughing, watery eyes, etc.
By day two, your nose will be chapped and sore unless you use Puffs Plus Lotion (I think they are infused with aloe) facial tissues.
For coughing, I had a friend recommend castor oil. He said "You'll be afraid to cough." But I prefer dextromethorphan and keeping speech to a minimum.
And I echo what all the actual doctors on this thread say about staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, and letting it run its course. A week from now and you'll feel better.
