Common Cold Research Paper

The common cold is a respiratory illness caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. The symptoms include sneezing, coughing, malaise, sore throat, ear pain, and nasal discharge. Common colds occur mostly during the late fall, winter and early spring and average on length of one week. On average adults get two to four colds per year and children get six to eight. The common cold is treated with a combination of decongestants, antihistamines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adequate fluid intake, and bed rest. There are also more natural cold remedies such as honey, lemon, zinc, and vitamin C. These herbal and mineral remedies have not been strongly supported by scientific studies though. The cold can be prevented by frequent hand …show more content…
There are many different forms of zinc such as elemental zinc, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate. Zinc is primarily used as a dietary supplement for the treatment and prevention of zinc deficiencies and for reducing symptoms of the common cold. It also has a variety off label uses such as treating acne, burns, ear infections, and anorexia nervosa.3 When zinc is used to treat the common cold it may interfere with the adhesion of the rhinovirus to cells and may protect plasma membranes from microbial toxins.4 Zinc is fairly safe when taken orally at the recommended doses and likely unsafe when taken intranasally. In 2009, Zicam intranasal products containing large levels of zinc gluconate were taken off the market by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for causing irreversible damage to nasal tissue. The recommended daily dose for adults to treat the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges 10 mg is 6 times daily. For children, the recommended daily dose to treat the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges 10 mg is four times daily. There are few side effects reported with zinc but the most commonly reported are increased heat rate, vomiting, and