Colds: Management
Management of colds
For most people, symptoms are self-limited without interventions. The condition is usually uncomplicated; however, occasionally, complications may develop such as sinusitis, lower respiratory tract disease, asthma exacerbations, and acute otitis media.
The management of colds depends on the severity of symptoms:
Mild symptoms:
Most patients with mild symptoms do not need any symptomatic treatments. Such patients should be advised to return for review if their condition worsens or exceeds the expected time for recovery.1,2
Moderate to severe symptoms
Symptomatic therapy is the mainstay of common cold management. Patients with moderate to severe symptoms may use a variety of therapies to relieve symptoms such as nasal symptoms, fever, pain and cough.3
Symptomatic treatment of colds
Nasal symptoms
There are many different formulations of decongestants and/or antihistamines available OTC for the treatment of nasal symptoms (i.e. rhinorrhoea , congestion, and sneezing). This includes single-agent and combination formulations.
In adults, decongestants and/or antihistamines proved to be the best option for patients with bothersome nasal symptoms.3
Decongestant monotherapy:
Sympathomimetic decongestants are available in oral (e.g. pseudoephedrine) or intranasal (e.g. oxymetazoline) formulations.3 They may offer mild relief of nasal congestion associated with the common cold when used alone.4,5
Xylometazoline and Oxymetazoline nasal sprays have been shown to have an effect in reducing airways resistance. Xylometazoline should be used for a maximum of 7 – 10 consecutive days (depending on the strength/formulation) whilst Oxymetazoline should be used for a maximum of 10 consecutive days, due to the risk of chronic/rebound nasal congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa).6,7
Antihistamine monotherapy:
A Cochrane systematic review found that first-generation antihistamines are associated with relief of sneezing and rhinorrhoea, but not nasal congestion. However, patients may experience sedation as a common adverse effect.8
Antihistamine/decongestant combinations:
Antihistamines and decongestants are often combined, with or without an analgesic. The combination of antihistamines and decongestants may be more beneficial than either component alone. They were found to improve rhinorrhoea, congestion and sneezing.4
Intranasal ipratropium bromide:
Ipratropium, an antimuscarinic agent, has been shown to be effective for the treatment of nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhoea and sneezing. A systematic review found low-quality evidence to suggest ipratropium nasal spray is effective for rhinorrhoea compared with placebo, but not for nasal congestion.9
Fever and pain
Paracetamol is recommended for fever and/or pain. Evidence suggests that it may also help with nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea, but not sore throat, malaise, sneezing, or cough.10
Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesic/antipyretic agents, and is a first choice for many clinicians for the management of pain and fever in both adults and children.11
A review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) found that they do reduce discomfort, but provide no benefit in terms of improving respiratory symptoms.12
Analgesics are available as single-agent or combination (with decongestants and/or antihistamines) formulations.
Cough
Many different cough suppressants or expectorants are available, including single-agent and combination formulations (often combined with decongestants and/or antihistamines).
There is no evidence to support or refute the use of OTC antitussive drugs, expectorants, or mucolytic agents to reduce the incidence of cough in adults or children, particularly young children.13,14 However, the American College of Chest Physicians recommends against the use of OTC cough and cold medicines for the treatment of coughs.15
Cough and cold medications that include opioids, such as codeine or hydrocodone, should not be used in children aged 18 years or younger as the risks (slowed or difficult breathing, misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose, and death) outweigh the benefits when used for cough in these patients.16
Honey has been shown to offer more relief of cough symptoms compared to no treatment, placebo, and diphenhydramine in children aged 1 to 18 years, but is not better than dextromethorphan.15,17
A review of inhaled corticosteroids for acute and sub-acute cough found insufficient evidence to recommend their routine use for acute respiratory tract infections in adults.18
The advantages of a topical vs oral decongestant19-26
A nasal spray can deliver fast and effective targeted relief,19 but 52% of cold sufferers do not choose this topical option:27
- Multi-symptom remedies may contain unnecessary ingredients (e.g. cough suppressants, antihistamines)28,29 and needlessly expose users to medications that won’t help them with their nasal congestion
- Oral decongestants are unlikely to offer the same rapid onset as topical decongestants, as they must first be systemically absorbed via the small intestine before they can achieve their action on nasal blood vessels29
ORAL DECONGESTANTS |
Vs | TOPICAL NASAL SPRAY |
| Systemic – dissolves in the stomach, enters the blood and acts throughout the body | MODE OF ACTION | Local – acts directly on the nasal mucosa at the source of cold symptoms |
| May take 30 minutes19 | ONSET OF RELIEF | Immediate (within 2 to 5 minutes)19 |
| 3 to 6 hours20-24 | DURATION | 10 to 12 hours19 |
| Less likely than topical agents to cause rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion) with prolonged use | ADVANTAGES |
|
|
DISADVANTAGES | Excessive or prolonged use can cause rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion) |
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How to treat colds in babies30
Methods for treating nasal congestion in babies
There are a variety of ways to treat nasal congestion in babies, depending on country habits, the age of the baby, and the seriousness and cause of the congestion, including:30
- Non-medicated sprays or drops (physiological serum, saline solutions)
- Breast milk
- Manual nasal aspirators (“Chicco” type)
- Water
- Decongesting creams/rubs
- Inhalations
- Cotton buds
- Tissues
- Some serious nasal congestion cases may require medicated nasal sprays
Treating children with natural products (treatments that are perceived to be gentle and chemical-free with no side effects) is a widespread practice.31
Favoured product attributes are:30
- Work fast
- Easy to buy/widely available
- Include clear dosing/usage instructions
- Effective for a good night’s sleep
- Are not messy
- Will not trigger anxiety in the child
- From a trusted brand/source
- Is appropriate for their child’s specific symptoms
- Doesn’t dry out the nasal passage
- Doesn’t irritate or redden the nose
- Doesn’t cause allergies
