This article was previously published on September 14, 2020 and has been updated with new information.
The medical term to describe the common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection (URI). This is usually caused by a virus infecting your nose, throat, and mouth. There are more than 200 different viruses responsible, of which rhinovirus is the most common.first
In a cross-sectional study published in 2016, scientists in India analyzed the prevalence of URI in rural and urban populations.2 A total of 3,498 people were examined during the study, of which 287 had an upper respiratory tract infection at the time. Children are infected more often than adults, especially those under the age of 5.
Antibiotics should not be prescribed to children or adults with the common cold because they treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses. The CDC recommends focusing on symptom relief, such as:3
“There is potential for harm and no proven benefit from over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children <6 years of age. These substances are among the top 20 leading causes of death in children <5 years of age. "
Identify upper respiratory tract infection
Many of the symptoms of seasonal allergies, the common cold, and a lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) with the flu can look similar. Acute influenza-associated LRIs were associated with 34,800 deaths in 2018; That’s why it’s important to be able to understand the symptoms.4
In a literature review from 2015, scientists reviewed 56 studies and found 124 definitions of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections.5 This variation affects the ability to generalize prevention and treatment recommendations.
Doctors from Louisville, Kentucky, say there are signs and symptoms that distinguish seasonal allergies, colds and flu:6
| Symptom | Allergy | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuffy nose | Common | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Common | Normal | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Sometimes | Light to moderate | Common, can be serious |
| Fever | Is not | Rare | High, 102°F to 104°F for three to four days |
| Headache | Common | Rare | Often |
| Tired | Common | Bland | Lasts two to three weeks |
| Fatigue and pain | Never | Slim | Can be serious |
Honey is a good treatment for URI
Although cold viruses are more common in children than adults, it is still the third most frequent diagnosis for adults, who sometimes catch two to four colds a year.7 The CDC recommends that adults treat their symptoms with decongestants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Arbitrary use of antihistamines, corticosteroids, and opioid nasal drops is not supported by scientific evidence. Although the majority of URIs are the result of viral infections, acute respiratory infections continue to be the most common reason antibiotics are prescribed to adults.8 The Mayo Clinic recommends specific home treatments:9
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Drink a lot of water |
Eat chicken soup |
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Control room temperature and humidity |
Use salt water gargle to soothe your throat |
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Use physiological saline nasal drops to relieve nasal congestion |
Use over-the-counter cold and cough medicine to relieve symptoms |
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Rested |
While over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are not considered effective for children under 6 years of age, in a Cochrane literature review it was noted that although many preparations have only minor side effects in adults, but they may not work better than placebo pills.ten
The authors of a recent literature review sought to evaluate how honey combined with usual care and antibiotics reduces symptoms in adults with upper respiratory tract infections. The scientists included 14 studies, which compared cough frequency, cough severity, and symptom scores. They concluded:11
“Honey is better than usual care for improving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It provides a widespread and inexpensive alternative to antibiotics. Honey can help efforts. slow the spread of antibiotic resistance, but more high-quality placebo-controlled trials are needed.”
The results of this study support past data with similar results. In an Italian study involving 134 children with a nonspecific cough, researchers compared the use of multiple doses of honey with the use of dextromethorphan and levodropropizine, two commonly prescribed OTC cough medicines. than in Italy.twelfth
The children were given a mixture of milk and wildflower honey or one of the drugs, based on the group to which they were assigned. The researchers found that a mixture of milk and honey was at least as effective as the drug.
Honey relieves nighttime cough in children
In an earlier study, the effectiveness of honey was compared with that of dextromethorphan in 105 children with URIs who were sick for 7 days or less. Researchers found that honey worked best and parents rated it more favorably.13
Another group of researchers compared the effectiveness of dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine with that of honey. They were interested in whether treatments would reduce the cough associated with URIs that cause trouble sleeping. One hundred and thirty-nine children were divided into four groups, receiving honey, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine or supportive care.
The team found that a 2.5 ml dose of honey at bedtime reduced coughing more than other treatments. Interestingly, there was no statistical difference in the effectiveness of dextromethorphan compared with diphenhydramine.14
In a given week, more than 50% of children under 12 years of age use one or more OTC products, according to the authors of the article published in the Canadian Journal of Family Physicians.15 Cough and cold medications make up the majority of them.
Based on the results of a meta-analysis, the scientists demonstrated that there is no evidence against or against the use of over-the-counter medications.16 In another clinical trial, a group of Egyptians enrolled 100 children 5 years of age and younger with coughs due to URIs. The intervention group was given cough medicine with a combination of honey and lemon.17
The researchers found that children who were given honey and lemon juice had a greater sense of relief than children who were given only the medicine. Many over-the-counter medications pose potential risks to children, including insomnia and drowsiness.
Taken together, the results from all of these studies suggest that honey works as well as dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine. It is also safer. However, it should not be used for children under 1 year of age because it may contain inactive clostridium botulinum, which can lead to infant botulism.
For this reason, it is important not to give any product containing honey to children under 1 year of age. The author of an article published in the Canadian Journal of Family Physicians states that honey may be recommended “…as a single dose of 2.5 ml (one-half teaspoon) before bedtime for children.” over 1 year old has a cough.”18
May help slow the spread of antibiotic resistance
A side benefit to using natural products like honey is that it helps slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The overuse of antibiotics is a contributing factor to the growth of superbugs.19 Researchers have suggested that education for parents20 and experts21 can help reduce overuse of antibiotics.
In a retrospective chart review, it was found that 64.2% of people with respiratory infections received inappropriate antibiotics, with the most common being azithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), and moxifloxacin.22 Interestingly, in this review, penicillin allergy and the presence of cough were important predictors of inappropriate antibiotic use.
Some bacteria have developed resistance to many antibiotics. The CDC estimates that in 2019 “…more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the US each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.”23
Some experts believe the actual number could be up to seven times higher.24 An infectious disease expert from the University of Washington, Dr. Jason Burnham, together with two colleagues, examined data from 2010. They expanded the definition of antibiotic-resistant deaths and concluded argued that 153,113 deaths could be attributed to multidrug-resistant organisms.
These reports bring home what experts have warned us for decades – bacteria are continuing to grow and mutate so they can survive. As more and more antibiotics are used in healthcare and agriculture, they become less and less effective and we are increasingly susceptible to antibiotic-resistant infections.
Take care with the honey you buy
Honey has been used for centuries for its medicinal value and for man’s enjoyment of the taste. Scientists have found that it has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica.25 It has demonstrated activity against antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.26
Manuka honey has been used to treat wounds because it inhibits bacterial growth while stimulating a local immune response and suppressing inflammation.27 The benefits of honey are substantial, but as I warned before, those benefits don’t extend to the processed honey you find on grocery store shelves, often a bit more. compared to fructose syrup.
It is especially important that honey from the grocery store is never used on a wound as it can actually increase the risk of infection.
In addition to the challenges of finding quality honey in conventional stores, it is possible to find adulterated or even adulterated honey.28 – presented and sold as honey when in fact something else – because bee populations are plummeting and there isn’t much real honey.
Consider buying real organic honey from local producers at farmers markets. Since real honey doesn’t expire even once opened, you can buy enough in the summer to last until next spring.29 You may also know how to try honey at home. Here are some of the physical properties you can look for in quality honey:30
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Fragrant – Your first test is the fragrance emanating from the jar, which will be reminiscent of the flowers and grass that bees collect pollen from; Industrial honey has an industrial smell. |
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Thickness – Movement should be slow and dense. Put a drop on your thumb. If it starts to spread, the honey is not pure. The concentrated raw honey will remain intact. |
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Tasting – When eating raw honey, the taste disappears quickly, but adulterated honey has a lot of sugar. |
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Dissolving – When put in water, pure honey will clump and stick together, while honey mixed with impurities will dissolve. Raw honey will not soak into blotting paper or cloth, but adulterated honey will leave a stain when absorbed. |
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Heat and flame – When heated on the stove, honey mixed with impurities will form foam. Try dipping the end of a match in honey and lighting it up. If it does light up, the honey is probably pure because the extra moisture in the honey is doped with impurities making it nearly impossible to glow. |
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Test – Consider the following additional tests:
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