Vaccines for “The Common Cold”

Vaccines are common protective agents against many diseases, some of which could be fatal such as smallpox, Hepatitis A and B, Lyme disease, and tuberculosis, just to name a few. While it’s rare that epidemics of these diseases occur today in industrialized nations, we still struggle with one particularly stubborn illness: Nasopharyngitis, better known as “The Common Cold.”

Researchers have discovered that annual costs associated with the common cold are near $40 billion, which includes doctor visits, emergency room appearances, and over-the-counter remedies and supplies for treatment. As a nation, we purchase piles of cold pills, aspirins, and alternatives such as Echinacea and Vitamin C tablets just to help beat the common cold. In many cases, the immunization system of the recipient oftentimes renders these remedies ineffective.

So, why not create a vaccine? We have one for influenza, which is a virus as well; so it stands to reason that a common cold vaccine is possible. It actually is, but it hasn’t yet been perfected.

According to a July 2 journal review of vaccines for the common cold, Ecuadorian researchers found that any common cold vaccine currently in development has been largely ineffective for humans. With such a ubiquitous illness, why can’t we eradicate it?

Unfortunately, the common cold virus is ever mutating, making it almost impossible to fight against it through vaccinations. In fact, scientists have been working for more than 40 years to perfect a vaccine for the common cold and have failed. We came close in a 1966 when a particular strain of the common cold was actually halted by a manmade vaccine. Yet, when the virus mutated, the immunization was no longer reliable. 

We are close again, according to a study released in 2011. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Scientist Todd Rider has developed an antiviral drug known as Draco (Double-stranded RNA Activated Caspase Oligomerizer), which has so far proven effective against several common cold strains in laboratory trials with human tissue. It has not been given to an actual human being yet. Designed to rapidly kill virus-infected cells while not harming uninfected ones, DRACO is still in test phases with animals.

Until we actually have a safe and effective vaccine, we’re basically stuck with our old methods of dealing with the common cold. The “Dummies” Series of books published by Wiley & Sons provides seven tried and true methods that can shorten the duration of your summer cold (or at least make you feel better while you have the cold):

1.      Wash your hands often. Germs readily spread by your hands touching infected objects or other people (as in a handshake). Keep them clean!

2.      Use hand sanitizers. If you do not have ready access to soap and water, make sure you use antibacterial hand sanitizers that kill germs. But, don’t use this as a substitute for hand washing. Use the sanitizer as a temporary solution until you can get to soap and water.

3.      Drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best liquid for you to not only hydrate your body but flush out the cold. Orange juice is another option as it can also provide Vitamin C, which has some efficacy in shortening your cold symptoms.

4.      Rest and sleep. While it’s hard to stay indoors when the weather is so nice, but making sure you rest your body can help it fight the virus faster. That could mean heading to bed an hour or so early…or perhaps sleeping in!

5.      Spend time in the sun (limiting your activities). Studies have shown that colds are more often caught while trapped indoors with recycled air or limited air circulation. Even air conditioned spaces can still harbor the virus. Perhaps combine your rest by napping outside (wear sunscreen!).

6.      Treat the symptoms. While there is no cure for the common cold, there are treatments to ease your symptoms. While Naturopaths and some medical practitioners recommend letting the cold run its course, there are over-the-counter remedies to alleviate the runny nose and coughing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration highly encourages those who opt to use over-the-counter medicines to follow the recommended doses. The FDA notes that more health problems and complications occur with the common cold when these drugs are used in excess.

7.      Eat fruits and vegetables. With summer in full swing, we now have access to local produce. Eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients will boost your immune system and help rid your body of that nasty cold virus.

One common mistake that people often make in regards to the common cold is reach for an antibiotic. This is never a good idea. Public health professionals have noted that an antibiotic may appear to eliminate the cold faster; it really does nothing to stop the virus. All it does is reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic when you really need it. This is how our bodies have become resistant to some new diseases (such as MRSA) because of the overuse of antibiotics.

If your cold symptoms persist after the traditional 7-10 day cycle, you may have more than a cold. This is when a check-up with your primary care physician is warranted.

References:

Hegarty, S. (2011). Is a cure for the common cold on the way? Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16165605.

Jawad, M., Schoop, R., Suter, A., Klein, P., and Eccles, R. (2012). Safety and efficacy profile of Echinacea purpurea to prevent common cold episodes: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1-7.

Olszewska, W., Zambon, M., and Openshaw, P. J. M. (2002). Development of vaccines against common colds. British Medical Bulletin, 62(1), 99-111.

Rider, T. H., Zook, C. E., Boettcher, T. L., Wick, S. T., Pancoast, J. S., and Zusman, B. D. (2011). Broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics. PLoS One, 6(7), 1-15.

Simancas-Racines, D., Guerra, C. V., and Hidalgo, R. (2013). Vaccines for the common cold. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, 6.

Stewart, D. (2013). Draco, the new virus killer, coming to a store near you soon. Retrieved from http://deekstewart10.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/draco-the-new-virus-killer-coming-to-a-store-near-you-soon/.

Wiley, J. & Sons. (2013). How to treat summer colds. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-treat-summer-colds.html.