A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs).

See also: flu.

Over 200 different types of viruses can cause a cold.

The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms may also occur.

The "common cold" is very common: There are over one billion colds in the United States each year. You and your children will probably have more colds than any other type of illness. It's the most common reason that children miss school and that parents miss work.

There is no cure--other than prevention--for the common cold. One can, however, decrease the probability of contracting one, if exposed. And if you do get a cold, nutritional medicines can strengthen the immune system, which then limits its severity and duration.

How to Treat a Cold

What should I do if I catch a cold?

Get plenty of rest. Drink warm fluids such as warm broth, vegetable juices and herbal teas. Try not to infect others. Take these anti-cold nutritional supplements:

• Immune Plex - an excellent all-purpose combination of state-of-the-art antivirals and immunopotentiating herbs and nutrients. Take 4-6 capsules 3-4 times a day.
• Echinacea - an antiviral, antiinflammatory herb that has been long recognized for its immune enhancing and antiviral properties. Echinacea is a powerful immune system stimulant with antiviral and antibacterial actions. Take 30 drops every 1-2 hours at earliest onset of symptoms. After four days decrease to 30 drops three or four times a day.
• Astragalus - a traditional Chinese herb that has been shown in modern research studies to reduce the severity and duration of colds and flus. Among its many immunopotentiating properties, astragalus enhances macrophage numbers and aggressiveness. One macrophage can eat 100 viruses. Take 3-4 capsules three times daily.
• Vitamin C - everyone knows vitamin C helps colds and flus. Extensive research has documented an array of immune enhancing, antioxidant, and antiviral effects. Vitamin C shortens the duration of colds and the flu. Take the most effective form, Ester-C, 4-10 grams (4000-10,000 mg.) daily until the flu is gone.
• Garlic - a broad-spectrum antibiotic and immune booster. Oft referred to as Russian penicillin (because the Russian people use it as an antibiotic to treat infections of all sorts) garlic also fends off all kinds of disease-causing microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Besides killing “bad bugs,” garlic increases the body’s natural resistance to infection by reinforcing the immune system. During a cold or flu take 4-6 capsules 3 times daily.
• Zinc - should be taken at the first signs of a cold or flu. A zinc-rich environment has been shown to discourage the growth of cold and flu viruses. Several studies shown that zinc supplementation cuts the duration of acute viral infections in half. Raising the level of zinc in the body has been shown to strengthen immune responses and inhibit infections. Take 100 mg. a day for the first week of a cold or flu.

More About the Common Cold

Children usually get colds from other children. New strains are introduced into a school or day care, and quickly travel through the class.

Colds can occur year-round, but are more frequent in the winter. In areas where there is no winter, colds are most common during the rainy season.

When someone has a cold, their runny nose is teeming with cold viruses. Sneezing, nose-blowing, and nose-wiping spread the virus. You can catch a cold by inhaling the virus if you are sitting close to someone who sneezes, or by touching your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus.

Most colds can be prevented by following some simple rules. Colds are contracted two ways: by direct hand to face contact or by droplet transmission via air contaminated by viruses. To prevent hand to face transmission, wash your hands frequently, and always before eating or touching your face. Preventing air droplet transmission is more difficult, and requires avoiding air contaminated with virus. This is often impossible. If you know a person has a cold, keep your distance.

People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold. However, this period is sometimes difficult to identify, as contagion develops before symptoms appear. A person with a cold should be considered contagious for up to ten days or as long as they have symptoms.

Preventing a Cold

The following essential nutrients are necessary for optimum immune health. I recommend taking each of these supplements both preventively and during a cold or flu:

• Flaxseed oil - an essential nutrient that is indispensable for healthy immune cells; daily flaxseed oil supplementation is recommended for all people to improve general health as well as immune health. One tablespoon (or six caps) a day for general immune health. Increase to two tablespoons a day from earliest symptoms and during viral infections.
• Ester-C - vitamin C is an antiviral and immune strengthening essential nutrient. One of its many mechanisms is to enhance the aggressiveness of immune cells. Daily intake of 2000-4000 mg. will improve viral resistance. Increase to 6000-10,000 daily at earliest sign of cold or flu symptoms.
• Zinc - has been shown to shorten viral infections and enhance immunity. Ongoing daily doses of 30 mg. of zinc (as aspartate, citrate, or picolinate because they are more readily absorbed) will keep the immune system happy and healthy. Increase to 100 mg. a day for the first week of a cold or flu.