How to Cure a Cold (Continuation)
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article discusses the efficacy of natural remedies like zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C in treating the common cold. It also addresses the ineffectiveness of antibiotics for viral colds and provides safety guidelines regarding cold medications for children.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
We continue the topic of how to cure a cold, which was started in previous articles:
part one and part two
- How effective is it to take natural remedies against a cold: zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C?
Some studies show that treating a cold with a spray containing zinc noticeably helps to shorten the duration of the illness, while at the same time, other studies claim that zinc is nothing more than a placebo. As for echinacea, recent studies show that it has no effect on improving health.
Recent studies on the effects of vitamin C on the human body have shown: vitamin C is not capable of preventing a cold, but it can shorten the duration of the illness. The authors of one study published the following results: up to 8 grams of vitamin C on the first day of a cold shortens its duration.
To prevent a cold naturally, the best option is to support the immune system. Consume dark green products, for example, spinach; they contain a large amount of vitamins C and A. Salmon is an excellent source of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the Omega-3 series, which fight inflammation. Low-fat yogurt stimulates the immune system. People who exercise recover faster and are less prone to complications.
- How effective are antibiotics for a cold?
Antibiotics do not cure a cold, as they prevent the development of diseases caused by bacteria, while a cold is caused by viruses. Besides the fact that antibiotics do not help, they can cause allergic reactions, which can prove fatal. Sometimes, bacterial infections follow a viral cold. For example, a sinus infection; in this case, a doctor prescribes treatment with antibiotics.
- Are cold medicines safe for children?
In October 2007, an FDA advisory panel recommended not using any cold medicines when treating children under 6 years of age. In any case, you are obligated to consult with a doctor before treating your child. Furthermore, never give children preparations containing aspirin. Aspirin given to a child with symptoms of a cold, flu, or chickenpox can lead to a rare, sometimes fatal disease – Reye's syndrome.
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Cite this page
“How to Cure a Cold (Continuation).” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/how-to-cure-a-cold-continuation/