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continued:

Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt

Cold remedies: What probably doesn't hurt

In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on some popular cold remedies, such as vitamin C and echinacea. Here's an update on some common alternative remedies:

  • Vitamin C. It appears that for the most part taking vitamin C won't help the average person prevent colds. However, taking vitamin C before the onset of cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms. Vitamin C may provide benefit for people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure — for example, children who attend group child care during the winter.
  • Echinacea. Studies on the effectiveness of echinacea at preventing or shortening colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show a significant reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when taken in the early stages of a cold. One reason study results have been inconclusive may be that the type of echinacea plant and preparation used from one study to the next have varied considerably. Research on the role of echinacea in treating the common cold is ongoing. In the meantime, if your immune system is healthy and you aren't taking prescription medications, using echinacea supplements is unlikely to cause harm.

Take care of yourself

Although usually minor, colds can make you feel miserable. It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently.

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References
  1. Common cold. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commonCold/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed March 16, 2012.
  2. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Diagnosis and clinical features. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  3. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  4. Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00053-9&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=1284724045&uniqId=324627979-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00053-9. Accessed March 16, 2012.
  5. Ross SM. An integrative approach to rhinosinusitis in children. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2009;23:302.
  6. Bukutu C, et al. Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: The common cold. Pediatrics in Review. 2008;29:e66.
  7. Pappas DE. The common cold in children: Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  8. Public health advisory: FDA recommends that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products not be used for infants and children under 2 years of age. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/PublicHealthAdvisories/UCM051137. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  9. Giving medication to children. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm164427.htm. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  10. Public health advisory: Loss of sense of smell with intranasal cold remedies containing zinc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm166059.htm. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  11. 10 tips to prevent an accidental overdose. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm253338.htm. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  12. Pappas DE. The common cold in children: Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 15, 2012.
ID00036 June 7, 2012

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