While we all know, there is no cure for the common cold, it won’t stop most people spend a fortune of money to treat it. Every year, billions of dollars spent on vitamins, medical visits, medications and so forth, hoping to treat their colds and flu.In 2009 Americans spent about 3.6 billion U.S. dollars of dollars on cold and treatments, which was a 1.7% increase compared to 2008. The best defense is to begin with a flu shot each winter season. Remember the regular flu shot is separated from the H1N1 flu shots, you need both for full protection from different strains of influenza. Infectious disease specialists maintain that there are certain basic health practices we should do to stay in optimal health throughout the winter:These and other basic common sense practices can help you avoid getting sick at all. There is also a good idea to frequently wash down door knobs, telephones, computer keyboards and other common areas for use at home, at work or school.There are a variety of common treatments that most people spend lots of money to treat their colds and flu. Some are more beneficial than others. Let’s take a look and examine each in more detail.Visits to the doctor: If you do not have an underlying disease as lung disease, older than 65 or pregnant you may not need to see a doctor at all for the common cold. Be careful with flu-like symptoms in this case, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu and Relenza reduce the severity and duration. If you have a fever that lasts several days, or a cough that causes one or more of these symptoms, a visit to the doctor may be necessary: