Behavioral Effects of Upper Respiratory Tract Illnesses: A Consideration of Possible Underlying Cognitive Mechanisms

Smith, Andrew Paul

doi:10.3390/bs2010038

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Results from two studies showed that having a cold was associated with reduced alertness and psychomotor slowing. Other research has confirmed that memory accuracy is not impaired in individuals with colds (Bucks et al, 2008;Smith, 2012b).…”

Section: Naturally Occurring Urtismentioning

confidence: 86%

Twenty-five years of research on the behavioural malaise associated with influenza and the common cold

Smith

2013

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Minor illnesses such as the common cold and influenza are frequent and widespread. As well as specific symptoms such as nasal problems and fever, these illnesses are associated with a behavioural malaise. One feature of this malaise is reduced alertness and this has been confirmed using subjective reports and objective measures of performance. Such effects have been obtained with both experimentally induced infections and in studies of naturally occurring illnesses. The mechanisms underlying the effects are unclear but possibly reflect effects of cytokines on the CNS which result in changes in neurotransmitter functioning that lead to reduced alertness. The malaise induced by these illnesses has many real-life consequences and activities such as driving and safety at work may be at risk. These illnesses not only have direct effects on performance and mood but also make the person more sensitive to effects of other negative influences such as noise, alcohol and prolonged work. Countermeasures include ingestion of caffeine and other drugs known to increase alertness.

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Section: Naturally Occurring Urtismentioning

confidence: 86%

Twenty-five years of research on the behavioural malaise associated with influenza and the common cold

Smith

2013

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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“…Sleep disturbance is another major issue, which is frequently encountered in patients with respiratory tract infections. 15 Sleep disturbance is known to be directly linked to nasal and sinus congestion. 16 Thus, a significant reduction in several patients with sleep disturbances in Emtact arm in the present clinical trial signifies a substantial reduction in nasal and sinus congestion.…”

Section: Discussion Principal Findings Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Randomised, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centric Clinical Trial of Ultra-Diluted Mycobacterium tuberculosis Nosode (Emtact 30c) in the Management of Recurrent Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Affections

Shaik¹,

Singh²,

Talele

et al. 2023

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Introduction Due to the rising incidence of respiratory infections, numerous interventions are being tried as preventive/therapeutic alternatives. The Emtact 30c is a polyvalent nosode prepared from various strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms. The objective of this clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of Emtact 30c by measuring the reduction in frequency, severity of episodes and relief in recurrent upper/lower respiratory tract (URT/LRT) affections. Method A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 148 patients in a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients satisfying inclusion/ exclusion criteria were randomised to receive either placebo or Emtact 30c administered thrice daily for 6 months. Result There was a significant reduction in symptoms like nasal blockage, sneezing, watery nasal discharge, disturbed sleep and bothersomeness in the Emtact-treated arm. A significant decrease in symptoms (nose block) was observed in Emtact-arm (p < 0.001). The parameters that showed significant improvement in Emtact-arm were sleep (p = 0.0084), mood/thinking ability (p = 0.028) and bothersomeness (p = 0.0499). The marked effect on appetite was favourable in Emtact-arm (p = 0.0078). There was a decrease in weight in the placebo arm, while the Emtact- arm had weight gain. An improvement in haemoglobin and lymphocytes was an important outcome of this study. The trial has shown that Emtact has reduced the symptoms and severity of URT and LRT affections. Conclusion Emtact may be used as a safe and efficacious alternative to treat URT and LRT affections. More studies evaluating mechanisms at biochemical and molecular levels would help.

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“…This was achieved 46,47 , and some of the studies even used virological techniques to identify the infecting agent 48.49 . Other studies examined possible cognitive mechanisms for the impairments [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] .…”

Section: Naturally-occurring Urtismentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatigue, Susceptibility to the Common Cold and its Behavioural Effects

Smith

2021

MRAJ

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The aim of the present article is to describe bi-directional interactions between fatigue and infection with common cold producing viruses. Over one hundred years ago, researchers started to investigate the association between been fatigue and infection. Studies of psychological risk factors for upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTIs) have been carried out for over fifty years. Early research did not control for exposure and also often relied on self-report rather than clinical and virological assessment. Research on experimentally-induced URTIs has demonstrated that susceptibility to infection is increased by stress. Other research has shown that job insecurity, few social contacts, emotional disposition, early childhood experiences, sleep problems and self-rated health are key risk factors for infection. This article provides an interpretation of these results in terms of chronic fatigue increasing susceptibility to infection. Infection and illness also lead to changes in behaviour. These effects include greater fatigue, impaired attention and slower motor speed. Such effects occur not only when the person has symptoms but in the incubation period, with sub-clinical infections, and after the symptoms have gone. Those with URTIs are also more sensitive to other negative factors such as prolonged work, and this has implications for safety-critical jobs. Ingestion of caffeine, which is an established countermeasure for fatigue, can reduce the behavioural malaise induced by URTIs. Further support for the use of a fatigue framework comes from a secondary analysis of data on real-life colds. Previous research has demonstrated that chronic fatigue leads to greater effects of acute fatigue. The new analysis showed that those with high levels of fatigue prior to developing a cold had larger behavioural impairments when they became ill.

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Behavioral Effects of Upper Respiratory Tract Illnesses: A Consideration of Possible Underlying Cognitive Mechanisms

Cited by 5 publications

References 28 publications

Twenty-five years of research on the behavioural malaise associated with influenza and the common cold

Twenty-five years of research on the behavioural malaise associated with influenza and the common cold

A Randomised, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centric Clinical Trial of Ultra-Diluted Mycobacterium tuberculosis Nosode (Emtact 30c) in the Management of Recurrent Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Affections

Fatigue, Susceptibility to the Common Cold and its Behavioural Effects

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