Some Chinese folk prescriptions for wind-cold type common cold

Zinc for the common cold.

BACKGROUND The common cold is one of the most widespread illnesses and is a leading cause of visits to the doctor and absenteeism from school and work. Trials conducted in high-income countries since 1984 investigating the role of zinc for the common cold symptoms have had mixed results. Inadequate treatment masking and reduced bioavailability of zinc from some formulations have been cited as i...

The common cold.

Common Cold (Coryza)

The common cold is an acute, self-limiting, viral inflammation of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. It causes nasal discharge and congestion, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. The common cold actually describes an array of similar conditions caused by a vast number of different viruses. It is most often caused by infection with rhinoviruses (50-80%) and coronaviruses [1] . It may al...

The Taxonomic Position of Common Cold Viruses and Some Others

During recent years workers in several countries have isolated a number of "new" viruses from upper respiratory infections. For some of these viruses claims have been made that they cause common colds. Before accepting such claims it is well to be sure of two things: i) that the viruses can be recovered with reasonable frequency from typical common colds in adults; and ii) that they will reprod...

Vitamin C and common cold.

To the Editor.—My book, Vitamin C and the Common Cold was reviewed in THE JOURNAL by Franklin C. Bing (215:1506, 1971). I do not object to the expression by the reviewer of his opinions, However, it is essential that the several untrue and thoroughly misleading statements that he makes be corrected. I do not state that ascorbic acid is a completely harmless chemical. I describe it as natural, e...