Cough and Common Cold

Eccles, Ronald

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-820472-6.00094-3

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…The most common treatments of the common cold are in category 3. For symptom relief and the different symptomatic treatments are listed in Table 2 and have been reviewed by Eccles ( 74 ). These medicines are marketed as over the counter (OTC) medicines that are freely available to consumers as single medicines or as multi-symptom medicines containing several actives.…”

Section: Treatments For Common Coldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Common cold

Eccles

2023

Front. Allergy

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The common cold is a unique human disease, as it is arguably the most common disease and because of the large number of respiratory viruses causing colds it is one of the most complex of human diseases. This review discusses the respiratory viruses and notes that all these viruses may cause the illness complex recognised as the common cold. The common cold is discussed as part of the “iceberg concept” of disease which ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe illness and death. The factors influencing the incidence of colds are discussed: crowding and sociability, stress, smoking and alcohol, immune status, sex, age, sleep, season, chilling, nutrition and exercise. The mechanism of symptoms related to the innate immune response is explained and symptomatic treatments are tabulated. Morbidity associated with common cold is discussed and possible vaccines.

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Section: Treatments For Common Coldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Common cold

Eccles

2023

Front. Allergy

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“…Treatment of MURTIs is purely symptomatic and can speed up recovery [52][53][54] and mitigate symptoms. A variety of OTC solutions, home remedies, food supplements or plant-derived substances, which can be taken orally, topically or via inhalation, are available 28,29,55 and proven to soothe symptoms by influencing different functional triggers within the molecular network of symptom development (Figures 1 and 2). Intense research over the last decades has not only led to a better understanding of these triggers but also of the molecular processes of a diversity of pharmacologically active substances, thus allowing for more holistic approaches with adapted and well-targeted therapies.…”

Section: Pathophysiology and Current Management Of Murtismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nasal decongestants, mainly sympathomimetics, constrict nasal blood vessels; 56 antitussives centrally or topically reduce the frequency and/or intensity of coughs and include opium alkaloids and derivatives; 57 expectorants increase the production of fluid in the lungs to reduce the viscosity of mucus, whilst mucolytics break down disulfide bonds in the mucus. 55 First-generation antihistamines block both histaminic and muscarinic receptors and, in contrast to second-generation antihistamines, pass the blood-brain barrier, exerting their effects on the cough centre located in the brainstem. With their anticholinergic properties, they disrupt nerve signals that trigger mucus secretion and sneezing.…”

Section: Pathophysiology and Current Management Of Murtismentioning

confidence: 99%

The treatment of mild upper respiratory tract infections – a position paper with recommendations for best practice

Smith¹,

Kardos²,

Pfaar³

et al. 2023

DIC

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Following the waning severity of COVID-19 due to vaccination and the development of immunity, the current variants of SARS-CoV-2 often lead to mild upper respiratory tract infections (MURTIs), suggesting it is an appropriate time to review the pathogenesis and treatment of such illnesses. The present article reviews the diverse causes of MURTIs and the mechanisms leading to symptomatic illness. Different symptoms of MURTIs develop in a staggered manner and require targeted symptomatic treatment. A wide variety of remedies for home treatment is available, including over-the-counter drugs and plant-derived substances. Recent pharmacological research has increased the understanding of molecular effects, and clinical studies have shown the efficacy of certain herbal remedies. However, the use of subjective endpoints in these clinical studies may suggest limited validity of the results. In this position paper, the importance of patient-centric outcomes, including a subjective perception of improved well-being, is emphasized. A best practice approach for the management of MURTIs, in which pharmacists and physicians create an improved multi-professional healthcare setting and provide healthcare education to patients, is proposed. Pharmacists act as first-line consultants and provide patients with remedies, considering the individual patient's preferences towards chemical or plant-derived drugs and providing advice for self-monitoring. Physicians act as second-line consultants if symptoms worsen and subsequently initiate appropriate therapies. In conclusion, general awareness of MURTIs should be increased amongst medical professionals and patients, thus improving their management.

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“…As stated above, it is the innate immune response to viral infection that causes symptoms, and this response is not specific to any virus. The specific mechanisms and symptomatic treatments relating to common cold and flu-like symptoms will now be discussed and these have been previously reviewed by Eccles ( Eccles, 2005 , Eccles, 2007 , Eccles and Kenakin, 2022 ) ( Eccles, 2005 , Eccles, 2007 , Eccles and Kenakin, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These medicines have been used as symptomatic treatments for cold and flu for decades, for example the FDA approved dextromethorphan for use as a safe and effective cough suppressant in 1958 ( Oh, 2022 ). It is not the purpose of this review to detail the safety and efficacy of all the OTC medicines used to treat cold and flu-like symptoms and the safety and efficacy of these medicines has been recently reviewed ( Eccles and Kenakin, 2022 ). The issue of concern in this review is if these OTC treatments are safe and effective for treatment of common cold and flu-like illness associated with COVID-19.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%