Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [common-cold]

Common term for an upper-respiratory viral infection caused by any number of viral agents. Cold is commonly identified by the symptoms, which are characterized by cough, sneezing, sore throat, congestion, fever and other symtoms

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Does warm green onion cure the common cold?

In Japan it is sometimes said a remedy for the common cold is to wear a warm green onion (Allii Fistulosi) around the neck. This practice is not as popular as before, but still many other articles about the topic can be found on the Internet. Is…
nic
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Can cold viruses remain dormant in your bones, and later emerge when you are exposed to cold temperatures?

I was recently hiking in mountains with some colleagues after a business trip. None of us had proper gear for 2000m, and consequently were rather cold. Now, all of us have advanced degrees in technical disciplines, so I was surprised to hear one of…
John Doucette
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Does drinking alcohol help a sore throat?

I've heard lots of people claim that whisky or rum or "hot toddies" help with symptoms of a sore throat or a cold. Does it really or is it just people feeling more relaxed because they had a drink? Some variants also state that it actually helps…
Alex Florescu
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Is Pentoxyverine (in cough syrup) effective in suppressing a cough?

The main cough medicine I use (I am in Australia) contains Pentoxyverine as an active ingredient. The wikipedia article for this chemical states the outcome of reducing a cough, but curiously states no understood mechanism for this…
Brian Hinchey
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Do UV air purifiers reduce the risk of being infected by the common cold or the flu?

I've seen several manufacturers make the claim that UV-C air purifiers can prevent the common cold and flu - primarily due to the destruction of viruses. (The ones that only purify air by filtering do not make this claim.) For example: US Air…
S.O.S
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Does ingesting baking soda prevent and reduce symptoms of a cold or 'flu?

I saw two of my friends on FB recommending ingesting baking soda to reduce fever.Searching for this, it seems to be common advice all over the internet. Some of these are for applying baking soda externally (like here, rubbing it in with lard), and…
user22865
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Does a physical barrier such as Vaseline help prevent a cold or flu during air-travel?

This site claims that this action will help prevent you getting sick during air-travel: try applying a small amount of Neosporin or petroleum jelly just inside the nostrils (use a Q-tip if your hands aren't freshly washed).Experts say the…
JasonR
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Is there a correlation between cold and illnesses generally perceived as cold-related?

Cold weather is usually considered to be one of the causes of common cold, flu, influenza, pneumonia etc., especially in winter. However, many believe that these illnesses may be mainly caused not by low temperatures, but by other factors which are…
AF7
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Are ecinacea-based products effective against a colds and flu-like illnesses?

Health food shops usually stock a range of products based on ecinacea extracts that are claimed to be effective against colds and flu-like diseases. The Holland & Barrett website lists 15, for example. The products typically claim: HRI Cold & Flu…
matt_black
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Does not wearing a coat when it's "cold" out make you sick?

I live in Maryland, where today it was about 50°F. I have heard this before, but my parents told me to wear my coat outside at school because the cold would "make me sick." Is it really true that being cold gives you a cold?
AAM111
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Is Hyland's 4 Kids Cough and Cold medicine effective?

There appear to be numerous anecdotal claims from parents on Amazon (and my wife's Facebook) of this product being the cough and cold cure their children…
n00b
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Can nasal spray with eucalyptus help prevent further infections?

I had a terrible cold last week, and bought "Otrivin Zoutoplossing Plus Eucalyptus" (site in Dutch) nasal spray to help with the congtion. This particular type contains a salt solution and Eucalyptus; it worked in so far as that it made me feel…
Martin Tournoij
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Does zinc help with colds and flus?

This question doesn't duplicate the more limited one on Zicam; I ask here about zinc in general. No: Mayo Clinic (from which I quote below) and WebMD are skeptical. Since then, research has turned up mixed results about zinc and colds Possibly…
user16959
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Does blowing your nose and clearing lungs help you get better?

Does removing phlegm from your body help your body get rid of bad bugs (virus) or does it just relieve your congestion symptoms? Relatedly if clearing your body does help, then do decongestants prolong sickness at the expense of relieving symptoms?
Michael Pryor
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Effectiveness of Cold-EEZE, zinc gluconate glycine lozenges

What is the truth behind the effectiveness of Cold-EEZE (http://www.coldeeze.com/)? The product claims to be homephathic (which is a pseudo-science) but there seems to be actual, evidence-based support in favor of its effectiveness. Here is a…
user35920
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