The only vaccine that can work is prevention, prevention and more prevention. Dr Devendra Shirole says, “Wear woolen clothes when you go out, especially on a two wheeler. More importantly, protect your ears with cotton wads or ensure that they are covered.” He adds that fridge water, cold drinks and oily food should be avoided. “Delay your morning walks. You should avoid exposure to early morning fog. If you are suffering from cold, it is possible that your immunity is down, which could lead to other bacterial infections,” he says. To keep your immunity levels high, pack your plate with vegetables and fruits.

According to Dr Milind Joshi, another cause of cold can be pollution. “ We must try to avoid pollution and protect ourselves from extreme change in temperature.”

In any case, if plan A which is prevention fails then immediately begin with a series of home remedies, which are time-tested and will alleviate your suffering. As Joshi says, “Medicines will cure you of cold in seven days, without them you will be cured in a week.”