Stopping a cold before it starts

So on top of the surgery recovery, I'm starting to get a little mucusy in the back of my throat and while I'm not sick now, signs like that usually mean a cold is imminent. Now, I'm going on a transatlantic flight next week, at the end of which I will be reunited with my boyfriend who I haven't seen in almost four months, so I CANNOT be sick right now, full stop.  Any tips or suggestions on how I can head this off before it really gets going?

Eat Zinc lozenges like crazy (brand name Cold Eeze, but you can find any store brand nowadays).  I personally don't like the things, but my mom and sister both swear by them.  They ease all cold symptoms and if you DO get sick, they are supposed to dramatically reduce the duration of a cold.  From what I can tell, they're the best 'immediate' solution when you're starting to feel sick (Vitamin C is really a long-term plan).  That and drink lots of water and do your best to get lots of sleep and good food (a good diet is alwys good health...fresh foods).

Cold Eeze is really good stuff.  Tastes AWEFUL, but really effective!

When I feel like that I make myself a pot of soup containing onions, garlic and lemon juice.  Make any soup you like as long as it has those three. It always works for me, all that vitamin c will see the cold germs off.  Echinacea tablets are also good for this.

eating raw garlic (can you chew yet?), vitimin C pills, echnichea in liquid form.  magic three does the trick for me. 

Emer'gen-C

I usually drink two of those a day when I start to feel that way and 8 times out of 10 it knocks it out. I saw some at Target last time I was home. Rasberry is my fav, but the Lemon-Lime is not too bad either. Feel Better!

I've used Zicam before w/pretty decent results.  But I used the nasal swabs, and I notice that there's a lawsuit pending due to some people's sense of smell being affected.  My sniffer is as sensitive as ever!

(I'm starting a cold as well...ugh...HATE getting a cold, especially when it's still 100 freakin' degrees outside!!!)

lots of water

ginger tea made with fresh ginger and boiled water... it turns a yellowish color... great with honey. it works great if you catch it soon enough.

take care!!