Cold and flu remedies that work: Zinc, Tamiflu, fluids - Insider

Zinc lozenges have been shown in numerous studies to shorten the duration of a cold by about a day or two, but "zinc is not for everyone because a lot of people don't like the taste," Schaffner said.

If it's prevention you're after, Schaffner suggests taking your zinc the day before a family gathering.

As for everything else that's available to ease symptoms in the cough and cold section of the pharmacy, "some of them can offer some transient relief, but there's no single one that's so much better than the others that I would recommend it," Schaffner said. .

If you're in a high-risk group, or are going to spend the holidays around someone who is, Schaffner recommends rapid testing everyone for COVID on the day of your gathering.

If you test positive, the antiviral Tamiflu can ease symptoms and shorten the duration of your illness if taken in the first 48 hours you're sick

If you are already holed up at home with congestion and seasonal cold symptoms like a runny nose, Schaffner recommends three simple techniques to loosen up mucus and ease your suffering. 

"Good luck with that if you're going to parties and celebrations and stuff," Schaffner said