Mythbusting The Common Cold ATOS 11.48

Mythbusting The Common Cold

Source: Wikipedia

The common cold, a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract which primarily affects the nose, has been with us since antiquity. And, since we as humans are so familiar with these sniffles, sneezes and stuffiness and their related aches and pains we have come up with many traditional beliefs about the common cold, but what does science say about them?

The traditional folk theory is that a cold can be "caught" by prolonged exposure to cold weather such as rain or winter conditions, which is how the disease got its name. Some of the viruses that cause the common colds are seasonal, occurring more frequently during cold or wet weather. The reason for the seasonality has not been conclusively determined. This may occur due to cold induced changes in the respiratory system, decreased immune response, and low humidity increasing viral transmission rates, perhaps due to dry air allowing small viral droplets to disperse farther and stay in the air longer. It may be due to social factors, such as people spending more time indoors, near an infected person, specifically children at school. There is some controversy over the role of low body temperature as a risk factor for the common cold; the majority of the evidence suggests that it may result in greater susceptibility to infection.

No medications or herbal remedies have been conclusively demonstrated to shorten the duration of infection. Treatment thus comprises symptomatic relief. Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to maintain hydration, and gargling with warm salt water, are reasonable comfort measures.

Due to lack of studies, it is not known whether increased fluid intake improves symptoms or shortens respiratory illness and a similar lack of data exists for the use of heated humidified air. One study has found chest vapor rub to provide some relief of nocturnal cough, congestion, and sleep difficulty. Chest vapor rub or diluted eucalyptus oil can be used on the soles of the feet, a method especially recommended for infants and young children.

Antibiotics have no effect against viral infections and thus have no effect against the viruses that cause the common cold. Due to their side effects, antibiotics cause overall harm, but are still frequently prescribed. Some of the reasons that antibiotics are so commonly prescribed include people's expectations for them, physicians' desire to help, and the difficulty in excluding complications that may be helped by antibiotics. There are no effective antiviral drugs for the common cold even though some preliminary research has shown benefits.

While there are many alternative treatments, or folk remedies, used for the common cold, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of most, largely because there is little funding for studies of home remedies. As of 2010 there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against either honey or nasal irrigation. Zinc has been used to treat symptoms, with studies suggesting that zinc, if taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy people. Due to wide differences between the studies, further research may be needed to determine how and when zinc may be effective. Vitamin C's effect on the common cold, while extensively researched, is disappointing, except in limited circumstances, specifically, individuals exercising vigorously in cold environments. There is no firm evidence that Echinacea products provide any meaningful benefit in treating or preventing colds. It is unknown if garlic is effective. A single trial of vitamin D did not find benefit.