Do you take anti-inflammatory drugs when you have a cold? Can vitamin C and ginger tea cure colds? Let me tell you the answer today!

Experts in this article:

Shi Jun, Shichahai Community Health Service Center

Liu Zhijun, Chief Pharmacist, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Member of the Anti-Infective Pharmacology Committee of the Beijing Pharmacological Society

The most common disease in winter is cold. Many people have their own "tricks" for treating colds:

Some people take anti-inflammatory drugs as soon as they catch a cold;

Some people will go to the pharmacy to buy "Baijiahei" or "Baifuning" by themselves;

Some people like to take large doses of vitamin C;

Some people also like to take a bunch of Chinese patent medicines for colds;

…

But are these experiences of "treating" colds scientific? Let's reveal the secret today.

What are the common cold and influenza (flu)?

The common cold we often talk about generally refers to the common cold, which is mostly caused by rhinovirus/pararhinovirus infection. The main clinical symptoms are manifested in the nasopharynx, such as nasal congestion, dry throat and sore throat, cough and sputum, etc., and generally there is no systemic high fever and muscle aches. The common cold can occur throughout the year and can occur multiple times within a year.

Influenza is caused by influenza virus, which is more common in winter and spring and is highly contagious. The symptoms of influenza are systemic: high fever (up to 39°C), fear of cold, sore throat, headache, muscle aches all over the body, and clear nasal discharge in the early stages. The course of influenza is usually about 7 days.

How to choose medicine for common cold and flu?

First of all, it should be pointed out that whether it is the common cold or the flu, the vast majority of them are infections caused by viruses and are self-limited. In other words, even without medication (and they will get over it on their own), they will generally heal themselves in about 7 days.

However, we should not underestimate this little "cold". Many cases of viral myocarditis are often triggered by a cold, and they often occur in adolescents. The most serious consequence is sudden death within a short period of time.

Therefore, the treatment of colds should still be taken seriously, and of course the methods must be scientific.

The most important treatment for a cold is rest. Drink more hot water and get more sleep, relying on the body's resistance to defeat the virus. Even for viral myocarditis, young people are allowed to rest in bed under drug-assisted treatment and doctor's supervision to pass the critical period.

Different people have different symptoms after catching a cold:

① If you have a fever, headache, or obvious muscle aches all over your body, you can take antipyretics and analgesics. The most commonly used ones are acetaminophen (Tylenol, Priligy) and ibuprofen (Fenbid, Motrin).

②If you have a cough, take some cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan.

③If the symptoms of sneezing and runny nose are obvious, take some chlorpheniramine (chlorpheniramine) or cetirizine or loratadine.

Regarding compound cold medicines (including antipyretic, analgesic, anti-allergic, antitussive, central nervous system stimulant and other drug ingredients), please note:

① Many people have single cold symptoms, which may not all have the above manifestations. Therefore, compound cold medicine is not the best choice. Single medicine is better for symptomatic treatment.

②Taking cold medicine will not shorten the course of the disease, it will only improve the uncomfortable symptoms.

③ Different compound cold medicines contain the same or similar ingredients. Do not take multiple compound cold medicines (including Chinese patent cold medicines containing Western medicine ingredients) at the same time in order to enhance the efficacy or shorten the treatment course.

The influenza vaccine can effectively prevent influenza and is highly safe. During the peak influenza season, the elderly, children, and those with weak bodies should actively get vaccinated.

Is it useful to take amoxicillin or other "anti-inflammatory drugs" for colds?

"Anti-inflammatory drugs" such as amoxicillin (professionally called antibacterial drugs or antibiotics) are effective against bacterial infections (such as inhibiting the formation of cell walls), but are ineffective against viruses with "protein shell + nucleic acid" (which have no cell walls).

Therefore, taking amoxicillin for a cold is useless. In addition, the misuse of antibacterial drugs such as amoxicillin increases bacterial resistance.

Of course, some patients have chronic sinusitis, and once they catch a cold, it is easy to cause sinusitis, or tonsil infection and suppuration. Under the guidance of medical staff, bacteria-sensitive antibacterial drugs (such as amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, etc.) can be used during the cold period. This is a "complication" of treating colds, and it has no effect on colds caused by viruses.

Which “fake cold medicines” should be used with caution?

Many people like to use some "fake cold medicine" or "folk remedies" when they have a cold.

For example, some false claims say that multivitamins can enhance immunity and that large doses of vitamin C (effervescent tablets) can prevent and treat colds. However, these effects have not been clinically confirmed.

Of course, some people also recommend drinking various kinds of "ginger tea" to treat colds.

Drinking plenty of water, whether it is beverages or tea, and going to the toilet frequently can promote the excretion of metabolic toxins in the body, alleviate cold symptoms, and help the body recover.

In short, everyone is encouraged to drink more water, rest more, and overcome the cold as soon as possible.

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