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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
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
(PantherMedia / 91010ra) In some groups of people, having the flu can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. Drugs like oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu) 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...
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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
It is a good idea to see a doctor if you have the flu, and it may take some time before you fully recover. Colds and the flu do have one thing in common, though: The treatment for both focuses on relieving the symptoms. The only medicines that target the flu viruses directly can at most slightly reduce the time you are ill. 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
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...
