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Common cold

A cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. Colds tend to occur most often in winter, although scientists are not sure why. In the United States, adults usually have 2 colds per year, and children have at least 6.

There is no foolproof way to prevent a cold and no way to cure it. But you can treat the symptoms. Colds tend to last about a week, and can be accompanied by sore throat and cough. Unlike the flu, colds don't usually cause a high fever (above 102°F [38.8°C]).

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Related Information

Herbs

Astragalus Celery seed Echinacea Eucalyptus Garlic German chamomile Goldenrod Goldenseal Licorice Linden Marshmallow Peppermint Siberian ginseng Wild yam Yarrow

Supplements

Lactobacillus acidophilus Vitamin A (Retinol) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Zinc

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Herbal medicine Homeopathy Mind-body medicine Nutrition Relaxation techniques Tai chi Yoga

Review Date: 9/29/2015  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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