Common cold treatment in children and adults

One of the foremost reasons for doctor’s visits is the common cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Common cold is generally caused by viruses and is treated symptomatically. Antibiotics do not play any role in viral infection and are not effective in children or adults. Over-the-counter cough and cold medications pose a potential for harm and have no benefits in children; therefore, they should not be given in children less than four years. 

Few other commonly used medications, as inhaled corticosteroids, oral prednisolone, and Echinacea, too are ineffective in children. Certain products that can improve common cold symptoms in children are vapor rub, Pelargonium sidoides (geranium) extract, zinc sulfate and buckwheat honey. Few prophylactic probiotics, nasal saline irrigation, zinc sulfate and the herbal preparation Chizukit can reduce the occurrence of common colds in children. In adults, antihistamines, codeine, intranasal corticosteroids, nasal saline irrigation, Echinacea angustifolia preparations, and steam inhalation are ineffective in easing cold symptoms. Phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, inhaled ipratropium and zinc (acetate or gluconate) moderately can reduce the severity and duration of common cold symptoms in adults. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and few herbal preparations such as Echinacea purpurea, might improve symptoms in adults. Also, prophylactic use of garlic might decrease the frequency of common colds in adults, but it doesn’t have any effect on the duration of symptoms. More importantly, hand hygiene decreases the spread of viruses causing cold infections. Also, prophylactic vitamin C can reduce cold symptom duration in adults as well as children.

Ref: Fashner J, Ericson K, Werner S. Treatment of the common cold in children and adults. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):153-9.