The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. In the United States, adults have between 3 and 5.6 colds a year, and children have as many as 8.3.

• Sneezing and nasal congestion
• Sore throat, cough, or hoarseness
• Fever
• In children, sudden onset of fever (lasting two to three days), irritability, restlessness, and sneezing
• Headache

More than 200 different types of viruses cause colds. You can get a cold by touching a person with a cold or by shaking hands with a person with a cold and then touching your nose or eyes. Colds are also transmitted through the air. Exposure to cold outdoor air and fatigue do not make you more likely to get a cold, although psychological stress may. People in large families are more likely to catch colds, as are children at day care centers and workers in office buildings.

Most people diagnose and treat their own colds and do not see a doctor. Antibiotics and antihistamines cannot help cure your cold. Colds go away on their own after about 5 to 7 days for adults and 10 to 14 days for children.

Because colds result from viral infections, there is no cure for a cold. However, there are things you can do to try to get well faster and to relieve your symptoms. Drinking a lot of water will help loosen secretions. Having warm drinks and inhaling warm steam will increase mucous flow. All of this will give you symptomatic relief. Reducing your activity while you have a cold will help you to avoid complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

• Nasal decongestants: may help prevent sinus and ear infections. Do not take if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
• Nasal sprays: Use only for the recommended amount of time (usually three to five days). You can become reliant on them, and they can make your symptoms worse if used for too long.
• Aspirin and other pain relievers: can be used for fever or aches. They may cause the immune system to respond more slowly or increase nasal symptoms (runny and stuffy nose). Take only if necessary. Do not give aspirin to children under 18 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Alternative therapies offer effective symptom relief. Also be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

• Vitamin C (250 to 500 mg two times per day) enhances immune function.
• Zinc (23 mg lozenges taken every two hours) may shorten the duration of a cold, and may also protect against the development of usual symptoms. This high dose is for short-term use only.
• Vitamin A (25,000 IU per day) maintains integrity of mucous membranes and stimulates antibody response. This high dose is for short-term use only.
• Beta-carotene (200,000 IU per day) stimulates the immune system and is an antioxidant; safe for women of childbearing age.
• Avoid dairy and bananas. They increase mucus production.
• Garlic and onions have antiviral properties.

As with any therapy, it is important to work with your provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures (solutions made from herb and alcohol, or herb, alcohol, and water) may be used singly or in combination as noted.

• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): helps your immune system function properly; controversy exists about whether to use it for longer than two to six weeks at a time and whether to use in people with autoimmune disorders or AIDS.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): antiviral, antibacterial
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): shortens duration of colds
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): antiviral, soothing to mucous membranes
• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): antiviral, increases bronchial secretions

Use a mix of the above every two to four hours (1 cup tea or 30 to 60 drops tincture).

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of the common cold based on their knowledge and experience. It is important to note, however, that cold symptoms are viewed in homeopathic medicine as the body's natural way of eliminating a virus. For this reason, homeopathic doctors may recommend no treatment at all in the case of a cold. If a remedy is selected, the intention is generally to boost the body's natural immune response. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

• Allium cepa�-- for colds with clear watery discharge that burns and/or irritates the nostrils; red, burning eyes; and symptoms that worsen in warm rooms and in the evening
• Euphrasia -- for colds with excessive, non-irritating watery discharge that tends to worsen in the morning and when the person is lying down
• Aconitum�-- for symptoms including fever, anxiety, and thirst, that start abruptly, often following exposure to a cold climate or draft; most effective during the first 24 hours of the illness
• Mercurius -- for fluctuating body temperature and thick, yellow nasal discharge with a foul odor; symptoms may also include bad breath and a swollen tongue
• Belladonna�-- for colds with sudden onset of high fever, flushed face, watery nasal discharge, sore throat, throbbing headache, earache, and cough that tends to worsen at night; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who are often agitated and sometimes delirious; these symptoms may cause children to cry
• Pulsatilla�-- for coughs and nasal congestion with thick, yellow-green mucus that does not burn the skin; symptoms tend to worsen in warm, stuffy rooms and when the person is lying on his or her back; this remedy is most appropriate for children (even newborns) and adults who are weepy, have mood swings, and are easily influenced by others
• Gelsemium�-- for colds that have gradual onset with watery nasal discharge that causes irritation, a feeling of fullness or tickling in the nose and/or the back of the throat, muscle aches, fatigue, lack of energy, lightheadedness or spaciness, and a headache with pain in the back of the head
• Ferrum phosphoricum�-- for the early stages of a cold with slight fever, flushed face (redness may be patchy), and fatigue; may also be used in children with nosebleeds or bloody nasal discharge
• Arsenicum�album�-- for colds with watery, burning discharge from the eyes and nose, throbbing headache, nasal congestion that is not relieved by sneezing, dry mouth, sensitivity to cold, and a thirst for small sips of fluid
• Bryonia -- for chest colds with spastic cough that produces only a small amount of mucus and sharp chest pain that worsens with inhalation and while coughing; a dull headache, little to no nasal discharge, and sneezing may also be present
• Hepar sulphuricum -- for late stages of a cold when nasal discharge turns from watery to thick, yellow, and foul smelling; symptoms tend to worsen in the evening and with cold and wind

Be sure to see your health care provider if you are not feeling better after 7 to 10 days or have developed new symptoms.

Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. Some decongestants can be harmful to your baby.

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