Introduction | Causes | Prevention | Treatment (supplements, medicine)

Introduction:
The common cold (Viral Rhinitis) (Sneezing, scratchy sore throat, stuffy runny nose [Sinusitis] and coughing ) is life's most common illness.
The average adult gets three colds per year, each lasting an average of nine days.

    Time from infection to symptoms    2-3 days  
     Contagious after symptoms start   2-3 days 
                    Time to run course 8-9 days 
                                   25% 2 weeks
                                  10%  3 weeks

In the Mayo Clinic Guide To Self-Care (2003) they say:
"Most people don't need any medication for a cold. With the possible exception of zinc lozenges, none of the various cold remedies will make your cold heal more quickly. But if your cold symptoms are particularly bothersome, careful use of over-the-counter cold medicines may provide some relief. If used at the wrong time they can make you feel worse."

See a doctor if:

• You cold lasts more than 10-14 days
• Severe or persistend sore throat
• Problems breathing (wheezing, painful cough)
• Temperature of 102° or greater
• Nasal discharge changes to thick green

Causes:
Colds are caused by a virus usually entering thru the nose.
The most common method of transmission is:

• Touching your skin or environmental surfaces, such as telephones and stair rails, that have cold germs on them and then touching your eyes or nose
• Inhaling drops of mucus full of cold germs from the air

The rhinovirus and coronaviruses are responsible for the majority of adult colds. Scientists have identified than 110 distinct rhinovirus subtypes, too many to build up immunities when you get one. They are very small, about 20 nm in diameter (1/400th the size of a red blood cell.)

Adenovirus, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coxsackievirus, are responsible from 10-15% of colds, and also cause more severe illnesses.
Enterovirus (Echovirus, coxsackieviruses) are the second most common viral infection in humans. They are most common in the summer and fall. Infected persons who become ill usually develop either mild upper respiratory symptoms (a "summer cold"), a flu-like illness with fever and muscle aches, or an illness with rash. Less commonly, some persons have "aseptic" or viral meningitis.

Virus survival on a dry inanimate surface:
(Note that apparent presence of a pathogen as determined by molecular biology methods (such as PCR) does not indicate that the pathogen preserved its infectivity. So, the data below are for very rough reference only.)

Virus	Disease/symptoms	Duration of persistence*
Rhinovirus	sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough; sometimes accompanied by muscle aches, fatigue, malaise, headache	2 hours-7 days
Coronavirus	SARS, gastroenteritis, common colds	3 hours
Adenovirus	infections range from the common cold syndrome to pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis	7 days - 3 months

Source: Pathogen survival at MetaPathogen.com

James M. Steckelberg, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic says:
"Experiments with specific cold and flu germs have shown potential survival times ranging from a few minutes to 48 hours or more.
Researchers have repeatedly found that cold and flu germs generally remain active longer on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces than on fabric and other soft surfaces. On any surface, though, flu viruses seem to live longer than cold viruses do."

Virus survival is better in low humidity.
91°F, the temperature inside the nose, is the ideal temperature.

Prevention:

• Because cold germs on your hands can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those areas of your body
• If possible, avoid being close to people who have colds
• If you have a cold, avoid being close to people
• If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth, and sneeze or cough into your elbow rather than your hand.

• Exercise
• Diet (Vitamins and antioxidants)
• Sleep
• Avoid Stress

Treatment:

• bed rest
• plenty of fluids (water, tea, Jello water...)
• gargling with warm salt water,
• petroleum jelly for a raw nose
• aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve headache or fever
• Eucalyptus or camphor
• Supplements and non-prescription medicine.

Supplements:
There have been a variety of fads for preventing or reducing the symptoms of colds over the years.

Vitamin C - In 1970, Pauling (nobel prize winner in chemistry) announced in Vitamin C and the Common Cold that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily will reduce the incidence of colds by 45%.
To date, no conclusive data has shown that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds.
See story at QuackWatch.org

Zinc lozenges and zinc lollipops are available over the counter as a treatment for the common cold; however, results from studies designed to test the efficacy of zinc are inconclusive. Although several studies have shown zinc to be effective for reducing the symptoms of the common cold, an equal number of studies have shown zinc is not effective.
Note: Cold-EEZE has links to studies which show success with their Zinc Gluconate Glycine lozenges.
See: Study in Am J Ther. 2003 May-Jun;10(3):233 at NIH's PubMed.

Echinacea is a dietary herbal supplement that some people use to treat their colds. Researchers, however, have found that while the herb may help treat your colds if taken in the early stages, it will not help prevent them.

Eucalyptus oil is rich in 1,8-cineole, otherwise known as eucalyptol; a compound noted for its anesthetic, anti-bronchitic, anti-catarrh, anti-laryngitic, stimulant and expectorant properties, among other activities.
It is the main ingredient in Cough Drops such as Walgreens, however many prefer Menthol based cough drops.

As of 2010 two popular remides are:
Airborne - An Alka-Seltzer like tablet with a special blend of 17 vitamins, minerals and herbs, including Zinc, Ginger, Echinacea and a blast of Vitamin C!.

Cold-EEZE - lozenges have a unique Zinc Gluconate Glycine formula.

Medication::
Guidelines:
Always read the label.
A single-symptom medicine is often better than a combination medicine. i.e. If your problem is a congested nose you need a decongestant not analgesic, cough suppressant or expectorant.

Benzocaine - Anesthetic for sore throat:
Cepacol

Analgesics - Pain Relivers: For sore throat or headache.
Asparin, Acetaminophen, naproxen sodium or salicylates such as salicylamide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
See Sinus Headache Treatments: Decongestants, Painkillers, Nasal Irrigation, and More

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
Several cold medicines include an with a decongestant and/or antihistimine.

First generation Antihistamine - When your body is exposed to allergens, it releases histamines. Histamines attach to the cells in your body and cause them to swell and leak fluid. This can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Antihistamines prevent histamines from attaching to your cells and causing symptoms. It can also open nasal passages.
Second generation antihistamines don't work for colds.
Diphenhydramine:
Benadryl Allergy-Cold, Nytol, Sominex
Chlorpheniramine;
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough - Also contains Dextromethorphan (for cough) and Pseudoephedrine (decongestant)
Other antihistamines: Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine

Decongestants works by decreasing swelling in the nose and ears, thereby lessening discomfort and making it easier to breathe.

Phenylephrine and Oxymetazoline have in common that they stimulate alpha 1 receptors of the ring like muscles surrounding blood vessels. The muscle tightens and the pores of the vessels close smaller.
Topical application (sprays and swabs) work faster, but if used more than 3 days in a row can result in rebound congestion.

Oxymetazoline - decongestant belongs to a class of drugs called Imidazolines and has a longer duration of action than phenylephrine.
Afrin Nasal Spray, Neo Synephrine Nighttime

Phenylephrine HCL - decongestant belongs to a class of drugs call beta phenylethylamines, whose grand daddy is epinephrine (adrenaline) The most common over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant in the U.S.
Sudafed PE, Aleve Cold and Sinus, Neo Synephrine nasal spray.

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a decongestant in tablet form that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages that will help to dry secretions and relieve congestion.
(e.g. Sudafed, Drixoral Decongestant, Advil Cold & Sinus...)
, Actifed has pseudoephedrine and triprolidine, an antihistamine.

Because pseudoephedrine is one of the main raw ingredients used to make illegal methamphetamines, it is now available only behind the pharmacy counter.

Combinations:
Several are combinations of an analgesic and diphenhydramine (Antihistamine), and phenylephrine (Decongestants):
e.g. Benadryl Allergy/Cold, Tylenol Allergy Theraflu Severe Cold Nighttime

Cough Medicines:
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Mucinex

Dextromethorphan is an antitussive (suppress the body's urge to cough).
Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion DM contains Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin.
Vicks Formula 44 and Vicks NyQuil contain Dextromethorphan with other ingredients.
Narcotic antitussives (e.g., codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone)

Cough Drops:
Menthol is a topical anesthetic for relief of sore throats. Menthol is also a cough suppressant used as the primary ingredient in many cough drops.
e.g. Ricola Honey Lemon and Halls

Homatropine/Hydrocodone is an anticholingeric and narcotic cough suppressant combination. The anticholinergic works by drying up secretions and the narcotic depresses the cough reflex in the brain.
E.g. Hycodan and Tussigon.

Nasal Inhalers are commonly used to reduce symptoms:
They work faster but - Benzedrex Inhaler - Propylhexedrine Nasal Decongestant, Lavender Oil, Menthol.
Vicks VapoInhaler - Levmetamfetamine (decongestant), Bornyl acetate, camphor, lavender oil, menthol, methyl salicylate
- 4-Way saline moisturizing mist with natural eucalyptol and menthol
- Olbas Nasal Inhaler - Natural - menthol, peppermint oil, cajeput oil, and eucalyptol oil

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel - Zinc gluconate nasal spray and swabs:
There have been reports of anosmia (loss of smell) after intranasal zinc gluconate use.. In 2009 the FDA recommended that consumer stop using the product immediately to prevent this injury. In February 2010 Matrixx Initiatives recalled Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs.
Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Gel (Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride), Zicam Cold Remedy Rapid Melts, Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C & Echinacea and other products which contain Zincum Aceticum and Zincum Gluconicum as active ingredients and are still OK.

Others:
WebMD
Try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Pleconaril is a novel drug which attacks the virus rather than treating symptoms. It is being developed by Schering-Plough and works by inhibiting attachment of the virion to the cell. It inhibits enteroviruses (EVs) and rhinovirus replication by inhibiting viral uncoating and blocking viral attachment to host cell receptors. See NIH article
The Phase II clinical trial was completed in 2007.

Virus survival on a dry inanimate surface:
(Note that apparent presence of a pathogen as determined by molecular biology methods (such as PCR) does not indicate that the pathogen preserved its infectivity. So, the data below are for very rough reference only.)

Virus	Disease/symptoms	Size	Duration of persistence*
Rhinovirus	sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough; sometimes accompanied by muscle aches, fatigue, malaise, headache	20 nm	2 hours-7 days
Coronavirus	SARS, gastroenteritis, common colds	xx nm	3 hours
Adenovirus	infections range from the common cold syndrome to pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis	90-100 nm	7 days - 3 months

Source: Pathogen survival at MetaPathogen.com

James M. Steckelberg, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic says:
"Experiments with specific cold and flu germs have shown potential survival times ranging from a few minutes to 48 hours or more.
Researchers have repeatedly found that cold and flu germs generally remain active longer on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces than on fabric and other soft surfaces. On any surface, though, flu viruses seem to live longer than cold viruses do."

Virus survival is better in low humidity.

Modern science and modern medicine both claim that they will soon cure the common cold. C. Johnson, a physicist, says: The human body's various defensive systems NEED to practice, in order to be ready for serious infections and diseases. The body has the opportunities for practicing and developing such methods and systems during minor colds and infections.

Links:
Hidden Hazards of Cold Medicines - AARP
Disinfecting
The Common Cold from The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Treating The Common Cold « Science-Based Medicine
Commonn Cold at HealthBlurbs.com
Viral Etiology of Common Cold in Children, Finland at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Understanding Common Cold -- Treatment at WebMD
How to get rid of a cold
The Common Cold: Relief But No Cure - Article from 1976 FDA CONSUMER.
Top10 Towards Building a Strong Immune System at WomenFitness.
Rhinovirus and coronavirus infection-associated hospitalizations among older adults. at PubMed from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), NIH
Epidemiology and Prevention of Pediatric Viral Respiratory Infections in Health-Care Institutions at the CDC
Picornaviridae - virus belonging to the family Picornaviridae.
Flu germs: How long can they live outside the body? - MayoClinic.com
Sinus Headache Treatments: Decongestants, Painkillers, Nasal Irrigation, and MoreMBR< Oxymetazoline vs. Phenylephrine? - Yahoo! Answers