Cold

Sign/Symptoms
Drugs
Treatments
Attributes
Commonality is common
Further Tests
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Common Cold

The common cold is a self-limited medical condition that is typically contagious during the first two to three days. It frequently causes runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. Most patients experience symptoms for only one to two weeks. [1, 2]

Epidemiology

A child's immune system is less developed than that of adults, making children more susceptible to colds. Women are more commonly affected. [3]

Causes

More than 200 types of viruses have been found that can cause colds. The most common is called rhinovirus. It can be spread through air droplets when an infected individual talks, sneezes or coughs. Hand-to-hand contact with an infected person, or sharing contaminated objects, is another way of transmitting the virus. Colds are more common during cold season. [1, 2, 4]

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms can be felt as early as two days after the virus enters the body. Common symptoms are stuffy nose, itchy throat, sneezing and nasal congestion. Young children may have fever. The infected person may also have headache, muscle aches, postnasal drip, scratchy throat, decreased appetite and watery eyes. Over time, the nasal discharge may become thickened and become yellowish or greenish. Usually, symptoms vanish within a week, although symptoms can be present for up to 14 days. [1, 2, 4]

Diagnosis

The common cold is often confused with influenza. Influenza is typically more severe. Medical history and physical examination are usually enough to make a diagnosis of a cold. [4]

Treatment

The common cold usually resolves spontaneously. Antibiotics are not needed because they fight bacteria, while viruses are the cause of colds. If there is a superimposed bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Over-the-counter cold preparations are generally unnecessary because they may cause unwanted side effects. Most patients need plenty of rest and fluid. Aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers because it may cause a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. If symptoms do not improve within 7 to 10 days, a visit to a doctor may be needed because a cold may lead to complications such as bronchitis, ear infection, sinusitis and pneumonia. [1, 4]

References

  1. MedlinePlus: Common cold
  2. Mayo Clinic: Common cold
  3. NHS: Common cold
  4. MedicineNet: Common cold

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking

Tea Tree Oil [1, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning: Tea tree oil is not recommended for children, pregnant women or mothers who are breastfeeding.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that tea tree oil is effective in treating colds.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Peppermint Oil [1, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that peppermint helps to treat colds.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Megavitamin Therapy (Multivitamin, Vitamin Supplements) [1, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40]

Please note that while supplements are effective in correcting deficiencies in the body, their long-term usage is not helpful in preventing diseases like cancer and heart disease. To prevent these illnesses, one should eat the natural foods from which these vitamins and minerals come. Replacing natural sources with artificial supplements may increase the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Supplements should be taken only as a balanced multivitamin supplement that contains no more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance. This may be most helpful for people with restricted food intakes, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.

Recommendation: Weakly against. There is no evidence that megavitamin therapy can prevent or treat colds. Long-term therapy may increase the risk of other diseases.

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

Larch (Larix occidentalis) [1, 31, 32, 33, 34]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. Although approved for external use in Germany, available evidence does not support claims that larch helps to treat colds.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Kava (Piper methysticum) [1, 27, 28, 29, 30]

Warning: In rare cases, kava may lead to liver failure and other life-threatening problems. The FDA warns that people who have had liver problems, or who are taking medications that may affect the liver, should check with their doctors before taking kava. Other side effects include headache, upset stomach, drowsiness, weight loss, bloody urine and muscle weakness.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that kava helps to treat colds. More research is needed.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica) [1, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that gotu kola helps in the treatment of colds in any way. More research is needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) [1, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that goldenseal helps to treat colds. More studies are needed. Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, mouth ulcers and vomiting.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Ginger [1, 10, 11, 12]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. Research regarding claims that ginger helps treat colds has yielded mixed results.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Echinacea purpurea [6, 7, 8, 9]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. Evidence has shown that echinacea has no effect in the treatment or prevention of colds.

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

Cloves (Caryophyllum aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that cloves help to treat colds in any way.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Current evidence suggests that astragalus helps improve immune function and reduce the length of colds.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Vitamin C [57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64]

Recommendation: Strongly in favor. Studies show that vitamin C may be beneficial to those who have colds.

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

* GRADE Working Group: www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary References

Treatments:

  1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P. Complete Guide to Complementary & Alternative Cancer Therapies. American Cancer Society; 2009.
  2. Balch P, Balch J. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. 3rd ed. Avery Publishing; 2000. p. 94.
  3. Bensky D, Clavey S, Stoger E, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. 3rd ed. 2004.
  4. American Cancer Society: Cloves
  5. MedlinePlus: Clove
  6. American Cancer Society: Echinacea
  7. NCCAM: Echinacea
  8. PubMed PMID: 16049208
  9. Medical News Today: Echinacea
  10. American Cancer Society: Ginger
  11. MedlinePlus: Ginger
  12. PubMed PMID: 10793599
  13. American Cancer Society: Goldenseal
  14. NCCAM: Goldenseal
  15. Tierra M. The Way of Herbs. Pocket Books; 1998.
  16. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications; 1971.
  17. Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone; 2000.
  18. Tice R. Goldenseal and Two of its Constituent Alkaloids: Berberine and Hydrastine. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; 1997.
  19. Henriette's Herbal: Hydrastis
  20. Winston D, Maimes S. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. 2007. pp. 226-227.
  21. Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2000;20(6):680-684.
  22. Hausen BM. Centella asiatica, an effective therapeutic but a weak sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis. 1993;29(4):175-179.
  23. Cataldo A, Gasbarro V, et al. Effectiveness of alpha tocopherol, rutin, melilotus and Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency. Minerva Cardioangiology. 2001;49(2):159-163.
  24. Wikipedia: Gotu kola medicinal effects
  25. American Cancer Society: Gotu kola
  26. CSIRO publication on kava
  27. American Cancer Society: Kava
  28. KavaZen and Kava Safety
  29. NCCAM: Kava
  30. American Cancer Society: Larch
  31. DermNet NZ: Plant dermatitis / lichen
  32. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council; 1998.
  33. Bown D. New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. DK Publishing; 2001.
  34. American Cancer Society: Orthomolecular medicine
  35. Archives of Pediatrics article
  36. Quackwatch: Orthomolecular medicine
  37. Pediatrics abstract
  38. AMA resource
  39. PubMed PMID: 17327526
  40. American Cancer Society: Peppermint
  41. PubMed PMID: 17420159
  42. PubMed PMID: 19507027
  43. Bandolier: Peppermint oil
  44. MedlinePlus: Peppermint
  45. NCCAM: Peppermint oil
  46. American Cancer Society: Tea tree oil
  47. MedlinePlus: Tea tree oil
  48. PubMed PMID: 18816275
  49. Bastyr Center: Tea tree oil
  50. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy article
  51. PubMed PMID: 2145499
  52. PubMed PMID: 9055360
  53. PubMed PMID: 12451368
  54. PubMed PMID: 9848442
  55. Bishop CD. Anti-viral activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. Journal of Essential Oil Research. 1995:641-644.
  56. PubMed PMID: 23440782
  57. PMC article: PMC1795409
  58. PubMed PMID: 15495002
  59. PubMed PMID: 1547201
  60. PubMed PMID: 9059230
  61. PubMed PMID: 17636648
  62. MedlinePlus: Vitamin C
  63. PubMed PMID: 10796569

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