Coughing up for a remedy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Paracetamol and a hot drink with honey and lemon will relieve cold symptoms just as well as the most expensive over-the-counter branded remedies, according to research by the Consumers' Association magazine Which?
Treating aches and pains with the maximum dose of a "combination" formula such as Day Nurse Liquid Cold and Flu Remedy costs pounds 1.93 a day. Paracetamol and a hot drink will knock you back 35p and give the same effect.
Adults suffer on average four colds a year and children twice as many. To counter them we spend pounds 300m a year on the 200-plus remedies available.
Which? tried a range of remedies costing up to pounds 4.75 and concluded that popular "combination" remedies (which contain painkiller, decongestant and cough soother), will often do little good unless you have the full range of symptoms - otherwise you are only swallowing unnecessary drugs.
The most expensive combination remedies are Day Nurse Liquid Cold and Flu Remedy at pounds 1.93 per day and Flurex Cold/Flu Capsules with Cough Suppressant at pounds 1.94. But Lemsip (95p per day), and Boots Hot Lemon Cold Relief with Decongestant (94p) also cost far more than paracetamol.
Cold sufferers should treat symptoms singly, taking paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen for aches and pains, treating bad congestion with a spray and, if really necessary, a dry cough with a suppressant. But the magazine warns victims "there is no convincing proof" that cough expectorants such as Robitussin for Chesty Coughs (pounds 1.12 per day), and Vicks Original Cough Syrup (chesty) (pounds 1.59) work: warm water is probably just as effective.
Only sore throat lozenges containing doses of anaesthetic, such as Merocaine, may soothe soreness; others, containing anti-bacterial ingredients, are not likely to help any more than any other sweet.
"The simple fact is you're probably better off with plenty of rest and lots of fluids," said Diane McCrea, Which? head of food and health. "Sadly, the world still awaits a cure for the common cold."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments