Management Of The Common Cold

Prevention

The best ways to prevent transmission of the rhinovirus, as well as other microorganisms, is by washing hands with soap and warm water and by using face masks. In severe cases, isolation or quarantine of the patient may need to be exercised. Vaccinating high risk people such as young children, the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems is also suggested.

Conservative management

As mentioned, patients with the common cold should get plenty of bed rest as this allows the body to recover faster as well as prevent complications from arising. They should also make sure that they drink plenty of water and clear fluids to prevent dehydration due to excessive sweating secondary to fevers.

Gargling with a warm salt water solution or drinking warm water with honey and lemon also helps to reduce inflammation and pain in the throat. Throat lozenges containing various ingredients such as zinc, vitamin C, Echinacea, anti-inflammatory medication or local anaethetics may also be used for pain relief. 

Consuming chicken soup helps to improve the immune system as it contains a compound known as carnosine which is a natural anti-inflammatory and immune booster.

What has been suggested in clinical studies is that Echinacea and zinc can help to improve one’s immune system which in turn helps to fight off the viral infection faster. It could be said that using zinc and Echinacea when one is infected can then help to reduce the duration of the illness. Vitamin C hasn’t shown to offer any improvement on the duration of the illness unless the patient is a very fit and physically active individual.

Symptomatic management

Relief of symptoms caused by the rhinovirus helps to improve the well-being of the patient and also aids in faster recovery.

Fevers are controlled with antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Although there is a lack of clinical evidence regarding the use of cough mixtures, there are natural remedies which are available that help to give some relief to the throat which then reduces the incidence of the dry cough. Cough suppressing medications are not recommended, as they can affect the respiratory system, and are contraindicated for their use in children under the age of 6 years.

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Antihistamines may be beneficial in adults, over the first couple of days, to help reduce the nasal discharge. They shouldn't be used longer than that as they can cause drowsiness in the patient. Ipratropium bromide sprays can also help reduce a nasal discharge. Pseudoephedrine medication can also be used to help alleviate any nasal congestion but should also not be used longer than 5 days. The use of menthol and eucalyptus vapor rubs also helps to alleviate congestion, nocturnal coughing and sleeping difficulty.   

Antibiotic medication should only be prescribed for bacterial infections. In the case of the common cold, antibiotics are restricted to be used only if the patient contracts a secondary bacterial infection. In high risk patients, the chance of getting a secondary bacterial sinusitis is 8% and a secondary bacterial ear infection (otitis media) is as high as 30%.