“colds”
As I struggle through the day today with upper respiratory and evolving sinusitis symptoms, I am inclined to share my thoughts on this rather ubiquitous set of symptoms.
- rinse, rinse, and rinse some more (saline!)
- decongestants, mucolytics, and antihistamines….all depends on which symptoms are most predominate
- cough rx (o.t.c. such as Robitussion DM typically not too helpful – tussionex is the best but controlled and requires physician rx)
- vitamin C seems to help some but MUST be used in fairly high doses (greater than 3,000 mg daily) to be very effective; GI side effects usually kick in too early for it to be of use although a 500 mg or 1,000 mg daily might help with prevention
- antibiotics – this is where things get grey; still way too many people get antibiotics for viral upper respiratory infections. Thusly, we have a huge problem with resistance out there with only limited reinforcment on the way.
Why is juduicial use of antibiotics needed? I see several different types of bacteria cultured out from urine, blood, wounds each week that have very few options for treatment. One in particular, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus or VRE, has a couple of IV options or a pill called Zyvox which costs $500 PER PILL!!
Because antibiotics aren’t repetitive drugs (such as those for high cholesterol or high blood pressure) the new ones will be very expensive. Remember….it costs $1 billion (yes, with a “b”) to bring a new drug to the market.
Get rest. Push the H20. Do the above bases upon your symptoms…..I have my patients call me to discuss. I rarely have to see them in person and usually can get symptoms to resolve in 3-5 days completely without antibiotics.
