What’s The Best Way To Treat The Common Cold?

We may not be able to cure the viral infection itself, but…

Get well soon

It’s not the virus, but the symptoms: cold symptoms result largely from the body’s immune response rather than directly from the virus itself, as cytokines enthusiastically recruit immune cells of various kinds and thus trigger inflammation, generous mucus production, resultant nasal congestion, sneezing and/or coughing, and resultant sore throats.

Four kinds of medication that can help are:

• Nasal decongestants: pseudoephedrine promotes the release of norepinephrine, reducing blood flow to blood vessels in the nasal passages and helping relieve congestion.
• Cough suppressants: dextromethorphan acts on receptors involved in communication between neurons and moderates brain regions responsible for coughing, but high doses can cause hallucinations.
• Expectorants: guaifenesin is thought to increase fluid secretions in the respiratory tract, hydrating mucus and making it less sticky and easier to clear through coughing.
• Antihistamines: these block histamine effects and can help dry a runny nose even though histamine isn’t responsible for cold symptoms, but many also cause drowsiness by affecting brain processes that regulate wakefulness.

As for vitamin C and zinc? Well, those are great things to have, but there isn’t really sufficient evidence to say they’ll meaningfully improve cold symptoms, much as maintaining good levels of those in general can support good immune function.

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Take care!