Common Cold Revisited

The common cold, or upper respiratory tract infection, is one of the leading reasons for physician visits. Its impact on society and health care is large. Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause. The virus is spread by hand contact with secretions from an infected person (direct or indirect) or aerosol of the secretions and virus. There is no proven treatment for the common cold. Therefore, the common cold is treated symptomatically. Prophylactic probiotics, zinc sulphate, nasal saline irrigation, and the herbal preparations containing Echinacea angustifolia reduce the incidence of cold. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and some herbal preparations, including Echinacea purpurea, improve symptoms. Hand hygiene reduces the spread of viruses that cause cold illnesses.