These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Ongoing cold
Question: I have had an on going cold for approximately 6 weeks.
The symptoms are stuffy/runny nose and an annoying wheezy cough with phlegm.
I have been to my doctor and she first prescribed 500 mg of amoxicillin
that I had taken for approximately 15 days and was not effective.
She then prescribed 500 mg of Biaxin tablet ABB, which takes the
edge off but is still not making me any better. Do you have
any suggestions as to what I can do to get better. I am getting
plenty of sleep.
Answer: You have been on two good broad spectrum antibiotics. I suspect that this is a virus and
only time and rest will help. However, you could have a variation of mild asthma and
chronic bronchitis, which will take longer antibiotic treatment and possible inhalers. Bring
this possibility to your physician. This is very possible if you have ever had any trace of asthma.
Cold medication
Question: Can you comment why the warning about thyroid disease is on so many cold remedies?
Answer: Many cold remedy medications, both prescription, as well as “over the counter”/non-prescription,
contain a medication known as pseudepherine, which is in the same family of chemical as the
adrenaline (epinephrine) produced by our own adrenal glands. This cold remedy formula has
many effects. Among them are the constriction of small blood vessels- the idea being to
constrict the blood vessels of the inflamed nasal lining and sinus lining, and thus reduce the
symptoms of a cold, or congestion. However, other effects, including those on blood pressure
include heart rate and force of contraction, are also important, and can readily interact with
similar effects from other medications. These other medications, as stated on medication
packaging includes those used to treat thyroid disorders, hypertension, and heart disease. If you
are taking medications for these conditions, you should take cold remedy medications only on
the advice, and under the supervision of, your physician.
Tonsils
Question: I have a 6 year old son who is constantly sick with a cold and/or an ear infection. He eats healthy food – vegetables and fruit (fresh), drinks lots of water (prefers it over pop or juice) and exercises a lot. He just always seems to be sick.
Answer: Any involvement with his tonsils? This is a common problem in this age group and although less frequent than 30 years ago, tonsillectomy for removing diseased tonsils is often helpful in reducing or eliminating recurrent infections.
Common Cold
Question: My girlfriend had a kidney transplant 2 years ago and she takes the normal range of immunosupressant drugs. This makes her more susceptable to colds, which she currently has.
I have Muscular Dystrophy and can’t afford to catch a cold because it usually leads to me developing pneumonia. We have both had our annual flu shots.
How long should I stay away from my girlfriend before the risk of catching her cold is minimal?
Answer: The time to lack of infectivity of most oral viral infections tends to be about 7-10 days.
However, these studies were performed in patients with intact immune systems. I’d guess
it’d be similar for you, but wait until her symptoms are absent, or use a barrier mask.
