by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Looking for a cure for the common cold or flu?  Sorry to disappoint.  You won’t find one that is proven to work.  Trying to boost your immunity to fight off those pesky viruses?  You’ve come to the right place.  As a reminder, colds and influenza are caused by viruses that affect your upper respiratory system.  Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses.  They don’t work on colds or the flu.  If you do get one of these nasty viruses, it has to run its course as your body’s immune system fights it to the finish.  Here are some ways you can boost and strengthen your immune system to help in the battle.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to the cough-and-cold section of the pharmacy, I feel a little overwhelmed.  I think I know what I want but then see the same brand with just a little different type or amount of ingredients.  Which is better for your symptoms? (Make no mistake, the over-the-counter meds treat symptoms, not the underlying problem.  Many times that’s all you need, just to feel a little better until your body agrees.)

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The FDA met to look at evidence, take comments and decide whether there should be a ban on children’s cough and cold medicine under the age of 6.  They acknowledged the evidence from pediatricians that it was not effective at that age and sent thousands of kids to the ER each year.  Then they punted.  No ban or recall.

A spokesperson for the FDA acknowledged there was no evidence that the meds worked under 6  (apparently the meds were “grandfathered” by the FDA many years ago with no tests on children), but was afraid that parents would use stronger adult meds on children if there was a ban.  The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the meds under 6 and an independent group advised the FDA to ban them last year.

Now in steps the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) to save the day (sort of).

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Have you heard about the FDA’s new cold-medicines advisory: not to give them to kids under 2? If you’d like to read it for yourself–including the FDA’s bullet-pointed tips–rather than go through the media, here’s a link.

Below is a shorter blurb (originally posted here).

[Posted 01/17/2008] FDA informed consumers and healthcare professionals that the Agency has completed its review of information regarding the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines in children under 2 years of age and recommends that these drugs not be used to treat children in this age group because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur. FDA’s recommendation is based on both the review of the information the Agency received about serious side effects in children in the referenced age group and the discussion and recommendations made at the October 18 -19, 2007, public advisory committee meeting at which this issue was discussed. FDA has not completed its review of information about the safety of OTC cough and cold medicines in children 2 through 11 years of age. See the FDA Public Health Advisory for Agency recommendations regarding this issue.