Common Cold

Common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and is highly contagious. According to estimation, more than $1 billion are spent every year in America on nonprescription treatments for coughs and colds. Many people think that cold weather causes colds. It is not true, although most colds are caught in the season of fall and winter because most cold viruses grow better in colder temperature. ^{[1, 2]}

Causative Virus of Common Cold

There are more than 200 different viruses that can cause the common cold, out of them the most common virus is Rhinovirus. There are more than 110 serologic types of viruses that can cause upper respiratory tract symptoms or cold symptoms. Rhinoviruses are the viruses that contribute about 30% to 50% of all cases. ^[3]

Symptoms of Common Cold

The most common symptoms of common colds are listed below:

• Scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Head congestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Malaise
• Weakness
• Sometimes Fever

The symptoms of common cold usually last for 7-10 days. ^{[1, 2]}

Economic Impact of Cold

Although common cold is the most common health problem all around the world and sometimes consider as trifling but if we talk about the economic impact of common cold only in United States of America, approximately $2.9 billion are spent on over-the counter medicines and about $400 millions are spent on prescription medicines for common cold.

Mostly people received Antibiotic prescription for the relief of their symptoms. In the United States, an estimated 41 million antibiotics are prescribed annually that contributes to an unnecessary cost of $1.1 billion.

According to estimation, children suffering from common cold and cough miss approximately 22 to 189 million school days annually, due to this parent have to miss 126 million workdays to stay at home to take care of their children. Employees suffering from common cold let pass 150 million workdays annually. When added to 126 million workdays missed by parents, the total of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion. ^[2]

Treatment of Common Cold

There is no treatment for common cold, no medically proven medicine that directly targets the virus. The purpose of medicines and supplement in common cold is to maximize the comfort of the patient and to limit the severity of symptoms.

Here we are listing some herbs that are helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms and have favorable effects on body.

• Astragalus
• Boneset
• Catnip Tea
• Cat’s Claw
• Chuan xin lian
• Ephedra
• Echinacea
• Goldenseal
• Elderberry
• Eucalyptus
• Fenu-Thyme
• Ginger
• Pau d’arco
• Slippery elm
• Yarrow tea
• Hyssop
• Mullein
• Red clover ^[1]

References:

1. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC & James F. Balch, M.D. (2000). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. (3rd edition) Page No. 297-300. Penguin Putnam INC. New York: Avery.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinovirus