Getting better quick while sick?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Staying up late can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation causes stress on your immune system, causing it to become weaker. A weaker immune system makes it more difficult for you to fight off the hundreds of different viruses you are exposed to on a daily basis. Sooner or later, one of those viruses will get a foothold in your body, and make you sick. You probably have caught one of those respiratory viruses. The best way to strengthen your immune system to fight it off faster it to get enough sleep (most teens need 8-9 hours of sleep every night, minimum), drink plenty of extra fluids (even a mild cold can make you become dehydrated very quickly, which weakens your immune system even more), and try not to over-exert yourself (now is not the time to go run a marathon, for example). Caffeine-containing liquids like colas and iced tea can actually dehydrate you even more, so avoid them. There is no scientific proof that high doses of vitamin C do anything to strengthen your immune system, but if you're not getting enough vitamin C, it can weaken your immune system. There is some evidence that zinc supplements can actually help you fight off a cold or flu a tiny bit faster.

I am a physician with over 18 years of experience.