How can a cold be treated?

There are no medicines or vaccines for the common cold, because a single virus doesn’t cause it. The common cold is somewhat of a misnomer.  There are over 200 different viruses that cause the “common” cold.  Over half of them are a type of virus called the rhinovirus and there are almost 100 different types of rhinoviruses!  That is why we can send a man to the moon but we can’t cure the common cold. All these heterogeneous distinct viruses make it difficult to develop a vaccine to prevent the cold or even an antiviral drug to combat it. Only over the counter medications can be use to reduce some of the symptoms of the cold.

Because the flu is more homogenous and uniform when compared to the cold, we have been able to develop antiviral medications. These medications can help prevent the flu if you take them after exposure but before you get sick, or they can help shorten the course of the illness (but only by a day or so). However, most healthy people don’t need antiviral medicine; they are a good idea for individuals at high-risk for experiencing serious complications from the flu. Those are people with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, or respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema

There is no herbal cure for influenza or the common cold. However there are herbal approaches that might ease the unpleasantness of such viral infections.

If your cold or flu is accompanied by a fever, symptomatic relief may be experienced by drinking hot teas of herbs traditionally used to ‘break’ fevers. These are known as diaphoretics, remedies that promote perspiration. An excellent, but rather bitter, example is boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). A tea of this herb drunk hot and often will ease the aches and pains of influenza. It may be sweetened to taste. Other herbs with this property include elderflower (Sambucus nigra) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

A more controversial approach uses herbs that possibly help the body in resisting such viral infections. The berries of the same elder tree have been shown to inhibit the entry of the flu virus into human cells in the test tube. Viruses are unable to multiply on their own and need to be inside healthy cells to do so.  However, if viruses can no longer enter the cell, they cannot replicate.

Studies have shown that taking a supplement containing elderberry may help boost the immune system at times when it may be weakened, such as when suffering with a cold, flu or other viruses.  An herb from southern Africa, known as Umcka (Pelargonium sidoides), appears to work in a broadly similar way. Clinical trials show that Umcka shortens the duration and reduces the severity of upper respiratory illnesses.

Andrographis paniculata, used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, is another herb that may help people fight off flu and cold bugs.

 

The common cold is caused by a virus, so antibiotics (which kill bacteria, not viruses) do not help. Much of what your parents may have offered you works well. Here are some ways to treat a cold:

• Oral decongestants -- phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine -- work well to relieve nasal stuffiness but can have significant side effects of raising blood pressure, causing palpitations/jitteriness, or insomnia.

• Short-term (3 days) use of nasal decongestant sprays  relieves nasal congestion with less side effects.

• Nasal saline sprays and washes often relieve congestion as well as the medicated versions.

• Aromatic oils (menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus) used topically provide subjective improvement in nasal congestion. Don't forget about the topical VapoRub or the forms of these oils that you add to a warm bath.

• Analgesics: acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) help with headache and body aches.

• Hydrate! Remember chicken soup? Any liquid helps, but drinking warm broth often has the double benefit of sore throat relief along with hydration. The more you hydrate, the less headaches and looser mucus (so it will decongest) you will have.

• Salt water gargles ease sore throats as well; repeat several times a day for the first day or two, and don't be shy with the salt: use 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water. It wont even all dissolve, but that's how much you really want to increase effectiveness.

• Cough suppressant: try over-the-counter products labeled with DM for dextromethorphan.

 

There is no cure for the common cold.  It is caused by a virus, which is contagious through airborne particles through sneezing, coughing, or close contact.  Unfortunately, antibiotics do not help remedy the common cold.  These are saved for bacterial causes of sickness like pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infection, and sinusitis.  

Colds are "treated" by allowing your body to rest and drinking plenty of fluids.  Your doctor may recommend a cough medicine with codeine to help you rest.  By attaining the rest your body needs, your body's immune system is better capable of fighting off the virus.