The common cold has afflicted humanity since antiquity. Hippocrates described the common cold as ââ¬Åa running at the nose and . . . a discharge from the nostrils . . . it makes the nose swell and renders it hot and inflamed.ââ¬Â The ancient Egyptians were also familiar with the common cold, having a hieroglyph for the disease, and prescribed ââ¬Åthe administration of milk of one who has borne a male child and fragrant gumââ¬Â. Other ancient remedies included bleeding patients, and kissing the muzzle of a mouse. Despite our growth in medical knowledge and understanding, modern treatments for the common cold have advanced little. No known cure for the common cold exists, yet the disease imposes costs of around $40 billion per year in the United States, and is the leading cause for doctor visits and missed school days. Respiratory infections are the leading causes of death for children under age 5, and recurring viral infections during infancy may lead to the development of asthma later in life. Respiratory viral infections also increase the risk of acquiring secondary bacterial infections requiring antibiotics.
Uma S Sajjan, Quercetin: A Promising Treatment for the Common Cold
Last date updated on September, 2024