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Antibiotics don’t help in the treatment of simple common colds because they're only effective against bacteria. They can have side effects too, so they should only be used if a bacterial infection develops as a complication of the cold. more...
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Research summaries
It doesn't make sense to use antibiotics in the treatment of simple common colds: They don’t free up a stuffy nose or make the cold go away any faster, but they often cause side effects. Simple common colds – with symptoms such as coughing, a stuffy nose and sometimes a mild fever – are usually caused by viruses. They almost always go ... more...
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If young children have a cold and the area around their larynx (voice box) becomes inflamed too, it's known as croup. Read about what can help here. more...
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Overview
Flu and cold viruses are spread by means of droplet infection: when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the viruses are released into the air.Viruses also get onto the tissue and your hands when you blow your nose. These viruses can then pass to other people or objects. more...
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Research summaries
After having a flu shot, it takes about 14 days for the body to produce enough antibodies to be able to fight off a flu infection if you become infected. This means that if the vaccine is to protect a person during the flu season, it needs to be given before the first flu cases arise – which is autumn in Europe. But because flu outbreaks can ... more...
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Research summaries
It didn’t shorten the length of colds in men and women who started taking it only after they became ill. Some of the studies looked at whether vitamin C can prevent colds in people exposed to short periods of very strenuous physical activity, often in connection with extremely cold temperatures. Examples include marathon runners or soldiers ... more...
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Overview
Common colds, or simply “colds,” are usually quite harmless and go away again on their own. The symptoms of a cold such as a cough, sore throat and a runny nose can be really annoying. A severe cold can make you feel weak and ill, too. Colds usually go away on their own after about a week, but some symptoms may last longer. Although a sore ... more...
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Research summaries
The flu can sometimes lead to serious complications like pneumonia in certain groups of people. Drugs like oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu) mainly aim to prevent things from turning serious. But research has only shown that taking oseltamivir might make general flu symptoms go away a bit sooner. more...
