Curing Colds, do alternative medicines work?
Chew on vitamin C? Brew echinacea tea?
These might seem like natural reactions when you feel a cold coming on. But they may not actually help wipe out your sneezes, sniffles, scratchy throat and cough.
“Despite what you may read on the Internet, there’s often little science to back up the healing claims of alternative cold treatments,” said HPSJ Director of Care & Utilization Management Maria Aguglia, RN, MSN, MHA.
Here’s a quick run-down of what researchers do know.
| Product | Bottom line | Side effects | |
| Oral zinc | May reduce the length and severity of a cold if taken within 24 hours after symptoms start. May lower the number of colds in children if taken in low doses for at least five months. |
Can cause stomach upset. May interact with antibiotics and penicillamine, a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis.
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| Vitamin C | May take the edge off cold symptoms if taken on a regular basis. Not proven to prevent colds. Not proven to shorten a cold if taken after symptoms start. |
Can cause diarrhea or nausea if taken in high doses. | |
| Echinacea | Generally not proven to prevent or treat colds. Some very specific preparations may help treat colds in a few cases. |
Can cause allergic reactions. | |
| Probiotics | Not proven to prevent or treat colds. Might lessen the risk for upper respiratory infections in a few cases |
Can cause intestinal gas. Serious side effects more likely for people with pre-existing conditions. |
Ongoing research into these and other alternative medicines may help clarify their usefulness. In the meantime, it’s best to go with the tried-and-true trio of rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may ease symptoms. Decongestants and cough suppressants can also help. But never give aspirin to children. And don’t give nonprescription cough and cold medicines to children under 4 years old.
Advice for the common cold from an HPSJ nurse She says HPSJ members are encouraged to call the plan’s Health Reach 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line with questions about care, or should complications develop – and for advice about whether it’s a case of a cold, or the flu. “HPSJ has enhanced our 24/7/365 nurse advice line so that if the Health Reach nurse believes a telephone consultation with a physician is needed, the member can receive this added service from the comfort of their own home,” Nurse Casillas added. HPSJ members can contact Health Reach – 24-hour Nurse/Physician Advice Line at 1.800.655.8294 – and this toll free number can be found on each member’s ID card. This is a free service of Health Plan of San Joaquin.
There is no cure for a cold. But we recommend that patients can feel better if they get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids,” according to HPSJ Case Manager Nurse Consuelo Casillas. “While over-the-counter medicines may help with symptoms, the cold will not go away any faster.”