Submit your question for Dr. Mary Mason

Dr. Mary Mason wants to hear from you. She answers your health questions every Wednesday on News 4 at Noon. This week, she's answering questions on the common cold.

How common is the “common cold?”

The common cold refers to a mild upper respiratory infection caused by a virus that causes sneezing, nasal congestion and discharge, cough, sore throat, fever, headache and tiredness. Often symptoms last 7-10 days. Preschool children have, on average, 5 to 7 colds a year, adults 2 to 3 colds a year. Not surprisingly, colds account for 40% of all sick days taken from work by adults.

Can you prevent a cold?

There have been many studies on Vitamin C and the results have been mixed. However, a meta-analysis looking at 29 studies suggests that 200mg to 500mg Vitamin C a day can help with preventing a cold. Vitamin E and Echinacea, a widely used herbal medication, does not seem to be beneficial for cold prevention.

What are the best bets for treatment?

There are many cold medications available over-the-counter at the drug or grocery store. These are often combination of a decongestant, cough suppressant and an analgesic such as acetaminophen or aspirin to help with sore throat and fever. If you have a medical condition, you will want to talk with your doctor to make sure these are right for you.

Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can also help with nasal symptoms.

What should you avoid for treatment of a cold?

Patients often expect to get a prescription for an antibiotic from their doctor for a cold. This should be avoided since colds are caused by a virus, unless there is a secondary bacterial infection such as sinusitis or pneumonia. Zinc lozenges or nasal sprays have been popular, but studies do not support their effectiveness. Vitamin C, while it may help with prevention, does not seem to help with symptoms relief or duration.

About Dr. Mary Mason:

Dr. Mason is board certified in Internal Medicine and is the Assistant Clinical Professor at Washington University School of Medicine. She went to medical school at Washington University, and did her Internal Medicine Residency and
was Chief Resident for Internal Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.  Dr. Mason teaches in the internal medicine residency clinic.