Nothing sparks a conversation better than the common cold. As the universal cause of suffering, it provides us with everything from a day off of work to a handy icebreaker at the lunch table with someone we don’t know.
But over the years, the common cold has also made a huge dent in people’s wallets. Jaime Fankhanel, a registered pharmacist who works in Wheaton, noted that a recent pharmaceutical journal she receives estimated that Americans will spend $24 billion in costs related to colds this year. Before the cold season hits, it might be prudent to learn what experts say is likely to be of help.
Statistics indicate that approximately 25 percent of the population will get colds each season. Preschoolers will be hit the worst.
“I’ve read where children in preschool can contract six to 10 colds a year, and adults from two to four,” Fankhanel said. “Colds are the most common illness in our society.”
Doctors say colds are brought on by a variety of viruses, which must usually run their course. Treatment, therefore, is limited to the symptoms, not the illness. Dr. Debra Cody, medical director of Stratford Convenient Care in Bloomingdale, says patients overspend on over-the-counter remedies that try to do too much.
“When someone in my family gets a cold, even I’ve spent 10 to 15 minutes going through the aisles in the drugstore reading labels on products, because so many of the products try and treat too many symptoms,” Cody said. “The `total symptom coverage’ approach really isn’t necessary. People with a lot of congestion need a decongestant but not necessarily a cough suppressant. I’d advise people look for a `pure’ product that addresses their symptoms.”
Pam Gustafson, a registered pharmacist who works for Walgreens in Robbinsdale, Minn., agrees that cold sufferers need to key in on specifically treating their symptoms.
“Many people still have the misconception that taking medication will help cure a cold. The OTC (over-the-counter) products I recommend are for treating symptoms,” Gustafson said. “The body, in most cases, will fight the virus successfully whether or not a patient takes medication, and in the same amount of time. Length of the cold virus can be seven to 10 days or longer. So I start by asking the patients what symptoms they are experiencing.”
Unless you’re suffering from a prolonged fever, swollen glands or coughing up colored phlegm, Cody says most patients should be able to treat themselves.
“Most of the prescriptions doctors write don’t really work that much better than over-the-counter products,” she said.
“It’s different if you’re dealing with a bacterial infection where you may need an antibiotic or you have the flu. But colds should disappear within a week.”
Cody says some people confuse cold symptoms with allergies and warns that some patients may be treating the wrong problem.
“Antihistamines are for people who are sneezing, have itchy eyes, basic allergy sufferers,” she said. “They cause drowsiness and I don’t recommend them for a cold.”
Antihistamines can also interact with other drugs, including alcohol. Gustafson says studying product labels and talking with your neighborhood pharmacist should lead you to the right products.
“Take time to read labels or ask for help from the pharmacist,” she said. “People often want to buy a product that is for multi-symptoms, just to make sure they’re covered. I try to discourage that. People also need to read labels for warnings. For example, decongestants for stuffy noses can raise blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. Anyone with hypertension needs to consult his health care provider before taking decongestants.”
Experts disagree on the effectiveness of so-called “herbal remedies” that might affect the treatment for a cold.
Fankhanel says a substance known as Echinacea or “cone flower” has shown some effectiveness in boosting the immune system.
“Studies suggest that Echinacea promotes wound healing and that doses of it for three weeks on, three weeks off can increase the effectiveness of the immune system,” she said.
Cody believes working with an herbalist is a waste of time.
“I’m open to new remedies, and if there’s supporting data, I’m all for it,” Cody says, “but I’ve personally not seen any convincing studies.”
Treating children’s cold symptoms is different from treating adults. Gustafson says proper dosage and sensible use of appropriate products are the rules of thumb.
“Products like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, chills, pain and sore throat are good, but read directions carefully,” she said. “Drops for infants are more concentrated than elixir for older children and therefore less is needed. Measuring devices come with each product; use them. Decongestants with pseudoephedrine (found in Sudafed) are great for stuffy noses. And antihistamines are not generally recommended for ages younger than 6 years old.”
Want to avoid a cold in the first place?
Cody says a number of factors contribute to the so-called “cold season” and believes there are ways to reduce your risk.
Good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, will help to limit the spread of germs, Cody says, as well as “doing the regular things that keep people healthy.”
“Eating, sleeping and exercising regularly help keep the immune system operating as it should,” Cody says. “And being a doctor myself who regularly sees patients, it’s hard to do this, but you’ll also be healthier if you can avoid sick people.”
If all else fails, the old bowl of hot chicken soup still isn’t a bad idea.
“It’s kind of like the cranberry juice remedy for a urinary infection,” Cody says. “No one is quite sure why it works, but it seems to. With chicken soup, you’re getting nutrition as well as the fluids you need and the steam from the bowl can relieve the congestion in your head. There really is more to it than just comfort food.”
Cody also said it isn’t true that being outside in cold weather increases your chances of getting a cold. “In fact, the opposite is true,” she said. “We see more illness in the winter because we’re all together now and people breathe and cough on one another.”
Colds should disappear within a week. Be aware of high fever, excessive dry coughs, intense body aches or discolored mucus — these are signs of a bacterial infection or possibly the flu.
Cody says that flu shots, particularly for those 50 and over, make sense since “it’s the one illness you can prevent.” The cost is generally about $10.
Doctors and pharmacists agree that generic medicines save money and work just as well.
Fankhanel says that generics are still approved by the Federal Drug Administration and that so called “house brands” can cost 25 to 50 percent less than the brand-name variety.
Pharmacists contacted for this story suggested that people interested in treating specific symptoms should look for products containing the following substances:
– For fever, chills, aches, and pains — Aspirin, for adults only but not for those who have ulcers or are taking blood thinners; acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol, but many generics are available) and ibuprofen (also many generics, but Advil and Motrin are brands).
– For stuffy noses — pseudoephedrine, a decongestant (brand name: Sudafed).
– For runny noses, sneezing, watery-itchy eyes — an antihistamine, chlorpheniramine (brand name: Chlortrimeton).
– For cough — dextromethorphan. Gustafson says there are many generics, but a good, long-acting one for overnight or 12-hour use that’s also pleasantly orange-flavored is Delsym.
– For chest congestion — guaifenesin (Robitussin or generic).
