Two things right away. 1)Netti pot. That'll clear out the sinuses and wash away potential infection. Always helps me. 2) Gargle with warm salt water. Don't know why this helps. I know some throat pathogens are halo-phobic. So, it messes up their otherwise perfect environment...and it's just plain soothing. Just don't swallow a lot of salt. Get well soon, Kristin.

You're in school right( previous post mentioned a math class) I don't know about your school but there is a nasty cold/flu whatever circulating the one I work at that has a sore throat connected. While you're there make sure to was your hands a lot. Make sure to also get lots of rest if it starts to feel worse, the students who have been pushing it too far (either because it close to midterms or parting) are more susceptible to getting sick so if it gets worse STAY HOME and sleep. Boost up on some vitamin c/ zinc/ echinatia and don't spend too much time around the students who are sick. It's hard in school because attendance policyies are strict and you feel like you have to go but if you take a day to rest when you feel like it's coming down you'll be better off. If your symptoms get worse look for homeopathic stuff called oscillococcinum you can find it at pcc or whole foods. It has an orange and white package. I've had good luck if I take it when symptoms start. One of my co workers swears by a Chinese herb called yin chiao that you take at onset as well , it's 4 tablets with tea several times a day, and he's pretty healthy.

It could be you're just adjusting to the heat being on, as the others have said but if somethings flying around your school better to be safe than sorry and take care to punch it in the nose before it gets worse. Rest is such a key to anything cold related especially if you're living in a Petri dish

Most of what I do when I feel illness coming on is probably hokum and nonsense, but here it is.

I combine any number of the following:
Pho with lots of hot sauce
Almost any other spicy food, especially Thai soups
Ginger juice: grate ginger with a fine grater, place the grated ginger in cheesecloth and squeeze the juice into a glass, add sugar and water and maybe some lemon juice
Hot tea
Hot toddies: hot black tea, honey, lemon, whisk(e)y
Lots of vitamin C, especially EmergenC

If I miss the boat (I often confuse oncoming illness with allergies) or get sick anyway, I continue consuming the above and combine it with hydrotherapy. If I have a really bad cough, I alternate hot and cold in the shower; supposedly the switching of temps loosens the phlegm and helps you expel it. If I have a fever, I take as hot a bath as I can stand it, bundle myself up in warm clothes after I dry off, then get in bed with hot tea. It's the only thing that gets me to sleep when I'm feverish.

This time of year when we are starting to hunker down, close up the house, and turn on the heat, the quality of the indoor air changes and we react to those new conditions.

Typical relative humidity values in good weather times here fall in the ideal range which is sometimes referenced as 40-60% or similar. I have a digital readout hygrometer that I use to monitor levels indoors. Right now, using only a little heat via room space heaters (gas stove is still not necessary) the level is still around 50%. Once the heat is being used regularly it can easily drop down to 20% and below quickly. These drier conditions can really affect your nasal passages and throat. Just the feeling can remind you of the discomfort of coming down with a cold (scratchy throat, etc.).

We use an ultrasonic humidifier to keep the indoor air moisture content up in the winter as well as drying clothes on indoor racks (good for the clothes and the nose). If you are experiencing increased static electricity buildup (getting shocked after crossing the floor and touching a metal surface or good electrical ground), then the relative humidity in your home is probably too low. Ever since paying much more attention to the quality of the indoor air environment because of my parrots I have found my own health and comfort through the winter to be better. Air filters, humidifiers, and regularly airing out the house (good to get a change of air) has really made a difference for us. We also pay intense attention to what products we use in our house, eschew aerosols, don't use open flames or incense (candles, lanterns, etc.). All of the perfumes and scents added to products and sold to the public to cover up odors and make your home smell good read like a Frankenstein-ish chemical soup and certainly aren't necessary or probably healthy in the levels that multiple sources add to the air we breathe. Heck, I think about having a window open and where my birds are before I use a bleach containing scrubbing powder in the kitchen sink or glass cleaner and make sure I rinse well and toss the paper towel into the garage afterwards.

As far as a scratchy throat or dry nose goes, gargling with a little mild warm salt water can have a real effect at keeping you well as well as using a mild saline nasal spray (buy at any drug store). This abstract lists some of the more effective practices to keep you well. 

Science says that if you dose yourself with a lot of vitamin C at the first signs of illness you can either prevent the illness or limit the severity. This is born out in my personal experience (for what that's worth.)

Throw the echinacia away folks. It doesn't work. They've done massive studies trying to find evidence that echinacia helps in any way- and they couldn't.

gargle with grapefruit seed extract if you're not allergic to citrus. if you are or don't have any, cayenne pepper with honey and lemon is soothing and the pepper has an ingredient that fights the side effects of cold viruses. the roman army kept their troops going with cabbage and onion. eat mad fruits and veggies to stay healthy and keep your immune system happy.
and i'll say a prayer for you, too!
:)
GrannyDeepSea
beoneofthebillion.com
please sing with us!!!