Scientists Discover What Works Best At Preventing, Treating The Common Cold

Canadian scientists who reviewed studies that evaluated traditional and nontraditional approaches to dealing with the common cold found a variety of ways to both prevent and treat the annoying wintertime ailment. It’s an important consideration, considering that in the U.S. in 1997, direct medical costs (i.e., doctor visits, treating secondary infections, medications, etc.) were $17 billion, while indirect costs (missed work, etc.) totaled $25 billion. The researchers found that hand washing, zinc and possibly probiotics may be most effective at preventing a cold, while acetaminophen, ibuprofen and perhaps antihistamine-decongestant combinations were the best treatments.