### Human:\nis there any way to speed up a cold once you feel one coming on?\n\n### Assistant: most helpful answer it has been said that "colds last a week if you treat them and seven days if you leave them alone. " most healthy immune systems will cure a cold in about 4 days; but may take longer if you have not encounter this particular virus before. herbal remedies vitamin c zinc chicken soup and other home treatments have not been scientifically proven to be effective for everyone but there is nothing wrong with trying them. get plenty of rest.