 [ Symptoms ] is there any way to speed up a cold once you feel one coming on [ Disease ] 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 yes begin taking large dosages of v c with orange juice at the onset of cold disolved in oj  take a sip ever hour or so during the day and before retiring at night <link> aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa hi my name is ooooo