Can the common cold be cured?

Adults generally catch between 2 and 4 colds every year and for children it is even worse, with about 10 colds being caught every year. The common cold can be easily passed on from person to person from coughing, sneezing and simply touching infected surfaces. Therefore, there is desperate need for a cure for the common cold.

Experts have now found that the brutality of the common cold can be lessened.

Taking zinc, in the form of zinc syrup for example, within a day of having common cold symptoms will shorten the recovery time. Zinc is also said to help defend against future symptoms of the common cold. Zinc can lessen infections, stop the cold viruses getting into the body through the nose and even stop the virus from duplicating.

However, there are some problems with taking excess zinc. There are toxicity concerns from too much zinc and can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Consequently, there needs to be further research into the correct dosing of zinc so any side effects do not develop.