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16/03/2010
Daily Telegraph
NHS and Health Sector News
A mother whose mouth was damaged after an operation went wrong has criticised the NHS for employing the surgeon responsible for 20 years despite a series of errors. Separately, hypochondriacs who see doctors for colds and other minor illnesses are putting unsustainable pressure on the NHS, leading health experts have warned.
 
 
09/11/2009
Daily Telegraph
GPs told to stop giving antibiotics for minor ailments
GPs will be told to stop prescribing antibiotics to patients with coughs and colds because a rise in drug-resistant hospital bugs is putting vital health services at risk. Scientists fear the growth in the number of drug-resistant infections like MRSA is being fuelled by the routine prescription of antibiotics, even when they will not benefit the patient. All GPs are to receive a letter next week from the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
 
 
04/09/2009
Daily Telegraph
"Addicted in just three days"
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency warned yesterday that over-the-counter painkillers containing codeine, which include well-known brands Migraleve and Solpadeine Plus, can cause addiction in just three days. Concern at the spread of what experts called the "hidden addiction", led to the MHRA announcing a series of measures yesterday to tackle the problem. The pills will only be available in a maximum of 32 per packet without a prescription, instead of up to 100, while advertising will no longer state that the drugs are remedies for ailments such as coughs and colds, only that they can relieve acute and moderate pain.
 
 
22/05/2009
Daily Mirror
Colds could cure cancer
A common cold virus could be used to kill off cancer. Scientists have "tweaked" the adenovirus so that it destroys deadly tumours without damaging healthy cells. Cancer Research UK funded the study at Oxford University, which was carried out by Professor Leonard Seymour. He called the tests on mice "effective". But added: "Testing on humans is at least two years away."
 
 
01/04/2009
Daily Express
Leukaemia link to bug raises hopes of vaccine
A vaccine to prevent childhood leukaemia could soon be a reality after British scientists discovered a link between the disease and exposure to common infections in the nursery. The vaccine would work by mimicking colds, mild 'flu or respiratory viruses and would be administered to babies to prevent them developing the cancer later in childhood. Scientists believe that for childhood leukaemia to develop there must first be a genetic mutation in the womb, followed by a second trigger, such as an infection, during early childhood.
 
 
24/02/2009
Daily Telegraph
Colds can be beaten by a dose of winter sunshine
The gloomy winter could be encouraging more colds because vitamin D deficiency, which is caused by a lack of sunlight, reduces the body's ability to fight infection. The sun's rays are vital for the body to make vitamin D, which could be important for the body to fight off the common cold, the largest study of its kind suggested. People with the lowest vitamin D levels in their blood were significantly more likely to report having colds or flu. The latest findings, which are reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that people with less than 10 nanograms of vitamin D per millilitre of blood were 40 per cent more likely to report having had a respiratory infection than those with 30ng per millilitre.
 
 
17/02/2009
Daily Mail
Stop asking for antibiotics to treat colds, patients told
The government will today warn that patients should not expect to be prescribed antibiotics to cure coughs and colds. Posters and advertisements will urge patients not to request the drugs unnecessarily as part of an awareness campaign to tackle the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, which could make bacterial infections such as pneumonia much more difficult to treat. Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer for England, said: "Antibiotics don't work on colds, most coughs or sore throats or even the 'flu. Using antibiotics when they are not necessary will increase resistance to them and make it difficult to treat serious bacterial infections in the future." Dr Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said it was often very hard to persuade patients that antibiotics were not in their best interests.
 
 
08/01/2009
Daily Express
New cold comfort
The nation is gripped by coughs and colds. Fortunately, help is at hand in the shape of Kaloba, one of the first herbal medicines to be registered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) under the Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration scheme, reports The Daily Express.
 
 
31/12/2008
Daily Express
Bloodbank pleads for donors
The National Blood Service today issued an urgent plea for donations as a record rise in cases of flu and the winter vomiting bug has triggered a major crisis in NHS blood supplies. Andy Young, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "Many of the donors on whom we rely to keep stocks healthy over the holiday period have not been able to give blood due to flu and winter colds. Blood is often vital for patients undergoing treatment for cancer, for example."
 
 
18/12/2008
Daily Telegraph
Hospitals and 999 service at breaking point
Peter Bradley, the national director of ambulance services has urged the public to avoid calling 999 unless it is a genuine emergency because ambulance services and A&E departments are struggling to cope with an unprecedented winter illness season. Figures from the Royal College of General Practitioners, which monitors common illnesses in the community, showed a jump of about 20 per cent in consultations over chronic bronchitis, colds, flu and respiratory diseases during the past week. Ambulance workers are being offered bonuses of between 300 and 800 for doing a month's worth of overtime, meal breaks have been suspended and private ambulance companies and the volunteer St John Ambulance Service is being drafted in to help in some areas.
 
 
15/12/2008
The Sunday Telegraph
NHS and Health Sector News
Hospitals are facing a crisis as a sharp rise in cases of flu and other viruses forces some to close wards to new patients. Several hospitals are already struggling to cope with a sudden rise in admissions and the spread of a virulent winter vomiting bug. Figures from NHS Direct's telephone helpline show that the number of calls about colds, flu, coughs and fever has trebled in the past three months. Separately, health officials spent 30,000 on a black-tie party for 420 NHS doctors, nurses and care workers. Roy Fisher, the chairman of NHS Blackpool, said the evening was "a genuine attempt to recognise and reward our staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment". There has been criticism of the amount spent.
 
 
23/07/2008
Daily Telegraph
Staff
NHS and Health Sector News
A disabled teenager's life was "cut short by three years" after he suffered a reaction to drugs doctors gave him "by mistake", his mother told an inquest. Separately, more than 5,000 mental health patients went missing from hospital wards last year and hundreds harmed themselves or others, according to figures in a report by the Healthcare Commission. Patients are to be refused antibiotics for coughs, colds and ear infections, under strict new guidelines for family doctors announced today. NICE will tell doctors not to prescribe antibiotics for minor illnesses such as ear infections or sore throats. Three elderly patients who went to the High Court to win the right to be given Lucentis on the NHS will receive the drug following a deal between Novartis and the NHS. Warwickshire Primary Trust has struck the deal with the company which will see the NHS pay for the first 14 injections, with Novartis picking up the bill for any additional injections needed. Finally today, all of Britain's 150,000 practising doctors are to undergo annual reviews to weed out poor performers, in the biggest reform of medical regulation for 150 years, The Times reports. Family doctors, hospital consultants and private practitioners will have to apply to renew their licences every five years, according to plans published today by the Chief Medical Officer.
 
 
27/03/2008
Financial Times
Infant cough remedies taken off shelves
Pharmacists should no longer sell over-the-counter cough medicines for infants, the medicines regulator said last night. Six brands specifically aimed at children under two were ordered to be removed from pharmacy shelves, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said, adding that most coughs and colds improved within a few days without medicine. The MHRA went further and worked with the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, the trade body of branded over-the-counter medicines, in developing information sheets stressing that paracetamol or ibuprofen are the only recommended over-the-counter treatments to relieve pain and lower temperature.
 
 
19/02/2008
Daily Telegraph
E. Coli bug "will rival M.R.S.A. threat"
The E.coli bug is becoming resistant to drugs and could be as big a problem as the superbug M.R.S.A., scientists warn today. Scientists have discovered that the bug is changing and increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics, and The Department of Health has launched a campaign to warn against the overuse of antibiotics for coughs and colds in a bid to slow down the development of resistant strains of common diseases.
 
 
14/02/2008
Daily Telegraph
Good bacteria
A study of long distance runners in Australia suggests that probiotics, the so-called "friendly bacteria" in yoghurt drinks and tablets, could boost the immune system and ward off colds and flu. The study found that the bacteria cut the number of days runners suffered respiratory viruses by half.
 
 
04/02/2008
Daily Telegraph
How mice catching cold will aid asthma
Scientists have created a genetically engineered laboratory mouse susceptible to rhinoviruses, which cause three quarters of common colds. It is hoped that the rodent will provide an invaluable testbed for new cold remedies, as well as treatments for more serious conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Sebastian Johnston, from Imperial College London, said: These mice should provide a major boost to research efforts to develop new treatments for the common cold, as well as for more potentially fatal illnesses.
 
 
09/01/2008
Daily Telegraph
Stop giving antibiotics for coughs and colds, doctors told
Doctors will be told today to stop prescribing antibiotics for coughs, colds and sore throats because overuse of the drugs is fuelling the spread of killer hospital superbugs. Introducing a £270 million campaign against superbugs, Alan Johnson will announce that it is time to end the unnecessary use of penicillin and other commonly-prescribed pills, which cost the NHS £1.7 billion a year.
 
 
21/08/2007
The Times
Common cold virus could be making people fat
Scientists in the United States have indicated that a vaccine to cut the risk of becoming overweight could be ready for testing in the next five years. New research has linked obesity with human adenovirus-36, the cause of common colds and eye infections.
 
 
18/07/2007
Daily Telegraph
Taking Vitamin C to stop colds 'is a waste of time'
Taking vitamin C supplements to prevent a cold is a waste of time and money according to a study produced by researchers from Finland and Australia. A review of 30 studies, involving more than 11,000 people, found that taking the tablets had no effect on the average person.
 
 
25/06/2007
The Times
Herbal remedy really does cure a cold
Echinacea, a popular herbal remedy, can cut the risk of catching a cold by more than a half, according to a scientific assessment of the supposed health benefits of the echinacea plant. Scientists reviewed 14 previous trials of echinacea to assess whether the herb really works against the common cold virus and concluded that it can reduce the risk of infection by 58 per cent. It was found to be more effective in natural circumstances, where colds were caught in the normal way, than it was in trials in which volunteers were inoculated directly with the common cold rhinovirus.
 
 
26/10/2006
Daily Express
Why exercise helps women fight off colds
Older women who spend half an hour a day exercising can halve their chance of catching a cold. New research suggests a moderate workout can do wonders for the immune system. A study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in America, of sedentary, post menopausal women, found that those who took up a 30-40 minute exercise routine were less likely to catch a cold. The findings, published in the American Journal of Medicine, showed that in the last three months of the study, the non-exercisers were three times more likely to suffer a cold than the exercise group. However, women have been warned not to overdo exercise, as excessive and exhaustive exercise can have the opposite effect.
 
 
14/08/2006
The Times
Asthma hopes
Scientists have discovered why people with asthma suffer severe attacks when they catch colds: their lungs do not produce enough of the anti-viral proteins needed to fight the infection. Research published in the journal Nature Medicine shows asthmatics only produce half the number of anti-viral proteins that non-sufferers do when suffering a cold. Consequently they are far more likely to suffer a severe attack during a cold - and even end up in hospital. A radical asthma treatment that promises to transform the lives of millions and could help to prevent colds is being developed by British scientists.
 
 
28/02/2006
Daily Mail
A pill to cure the common cold is undergoing clinical trials
The Daily Mail is the only newspaper to report that an experimental drug designed to treat the common cold, known as BTA-798, is being tested on a group of British patients. Laboratory experiments suggest that the drug can attack and destroy the human rhinovirus before it gets a chance to infect the body's cells. Biota Holdings Ltd, the Australian drug development firm which invented anti-flu drug Relenza, has been working on BTA798 since the late nineties. It sees the pill mainly being used by chronically ill patients whose conditions are made worse by colds. Human Rhinovirus is one of the main reasons why asthmatics and sufferers of other chronic lung diseases end up in hospital after catching a cold. Professor Ron Eccles of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, said that huge obstacles remain before the drug can be used on patients in Britain, such as potential side-effects.
 
 
30/11/2005
Daily Mail
One in three takes vitamins
A survey by the Health Supplements Information Service has found that one in three Britons takes vitamins to make up for poor eating habits. The average Briton spends £ 5.19 a month on vitamin and mineral supplements. However, this investment in personal health is in fact an attempt to offset the consequences of lifestyles which encourage poor diet. The survey also showed that 75% of people taking supplements are fighting colds and flu.
 
 
25/10/2005
Daily Telegraph
Ginseng can help keep you clear of colds, say scientists
Both the Daily Telegraph and the Times report the news that research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has revealed that in trials, only one in 10 of those given daily doses of North American ginseng root extract suffered two or more colds during four months straddling winter, compared with almost a quarter of those taking placebos. Dr Tapan Basu, of the University of Alberta, said 'a moderate dose of extract of the root of North American ginseng was associated with an absolute risk reduction of recurrent colds, as well as a reduction in the mean number of colds per person'. A group of 130 people aged 18 to 65 from Edmonton, Canada, who said that they suffered at least two colds from the previous year, took capsules containing ginseng extract twice a day for four months over the winter. Among those who took ginseng, the proportion who caught two or more colds in the four months was 10 per cent and the average number of colds was 0.68.
 
 
21/09/2005
Daily Telegraph
Nasal spray 'will stop colds from developing'
Our first item of news today, taken from the Financial Times, though reported widely, concerns a new nasal spray by Procter & Gamble's. The new Vicks First Defence, a nasal spray that is claimed to be the first clinically proven treatment to stop a common cold from fully developing, will go on sale next month, at £6.99. A test by the Common Cold Centre found that, of 70 volunteers challenged with a rhinovirus and given the spray, only 57 per cent developed a cold, compared with 79 per cent of a placebo group.
 
 
28/07/2005
Daily Telegraph
Echinacea root won't banish colds, say scientists
It is also quite widely reported today that, according to research published by the University of Virginia School of Medicine, one of the most popular of herbal remedies, echinacea, is powerless to prevent or treat colds. Scientists at the University of Virginia tested almost 400 volunteers to ascertain if the extract helped prevent infection from a common cold virus, or reduce the severity of symptoms. However, the scientists conceded that due to the huge variety of echinacea extracts available, "the burden of proof should lie with those who advocate this treatment".
 
 
21/06/2005
Daily Express
A nation of pill-poppers
The Daily Express today contains a large feature on the potential health problems one can experience when using commonly available drugs to treat minor ailments. The British Medical Association recently warned that the public needs to be more aware of the dangers of over-the-counter drugs sold without prescription. More than 80 per cent of common ailments such as headaches, heartburn and colds are now treated with a range of OTC medicines such as St John's Wort and aspirin. Doctors at Nottingham University recently linked Ibuprofen to an increased risk of heart attack. Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman for the Royal College of GPs said 'the problem is that patients don't think of OTC drugs as medicine so don't bother telling their GPs. There is also little research about what effect these have on prescription drugs'.
 
 
01/04/2005
Daily Express
Vitamins health fear
In a study published by the British Medical Journal, doctors have warned elderly people not to take multivitamin and mineral pills in an attempt to ward off colds and flu Dr Alia El-Kadiki of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, who led the study, suggests that taking large amounts could damage some cells.
 
 
21/02/2005
Daily Mail
Another superbug threat to babies
The Daily Mail reports that figures from the Health Protection Agency reveal that cases of respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) were around twice as high in the final three months of last year as in the same period in 2003. There are fears that the virus, which can prove fatal for babies, could be spreading through hospital wards in the same way as the superbug MRSA. The virus is from the same family as mumps and measles and causes a common case of coughs and colds in adults and older children. However, for babies under six months it can lead to pneumonia and death. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to seven hours, as well as passing from person to person. Simple measures such as regular handwashing can stop the infection, but there are fears that dirty hospital wards could allow it to spread like MRSA.
 
 
04/10/2004
Daily Express
Brush with danger
The American Dental Hygienists' Association has warned against families storing their toothbrushes next to each other risk, after a study found that contact between toothbrushes is a major cause of colds and flu. Research showed that the bristles harbour a number of different germs, including the coliform bacteria which causes E-coli. Evidence has also suggested that bacteria involved in chronic oral infections may play a role in heart attacks, diabetes and premature births. Experts are warning people to store toothbrushes separately and to clean them regularly.
 
 
26/07/2004
Daily Mail
A tissue that kills germs in minutes
Kleenex claims to have developed a tissue that killed 99.9 per cent of cold and flu viruses within minutes. The middle layer of the tissue is impregnated with anti-viral chemicals and is to go on sale in the US in October. It may be available in the UK next year. Peter Openshaw, a professor of virology at Imperial College, London said Kleenex had no evidence that it stops the spread of colds.
 
 
24/12/2003
Daily Telegraph
Do children need vitamin pills?
Health columnist Judith Woods discusses the issue of giving vitamin pills to children. She points out that exposure to colds builds up the immune systems of children, and remarks on a recent trial showing that echinacea, often taken to build up the immune system and prevent a cold, is no better in children than a placebo. Government health guidelines recommend that children up to five years of age be given vitamin supplements, but if a child has a varied diet, supplements are unnecessary, according to Vanessa Shaw, head of dietetics at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Readers worried about their children's health are advised to consult a herbal expert.
 
 
03/12/2003
Daily Telegraph
Echinacea 'useless for children's colds'
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that the herbal remedy echinacea is useless at treating colds in children. Moreover, 7% of those treated with echinacea as part of the study reported a rash, while only 3% of those given the placebo suffered such a discomfort. Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle carried out a controlled trial on more than 500 youngsters with colds. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is a blow to supporters of echinacea, who believe it boosts the immune system and protects against winter coughs and sneezes. This story is also covered in the Daily Mail.
 
 
12/11/2003
Daily Star
How to beat the flu
The Daily Star offers readers a rather contradictory set of guidelines on avoiding the flu. Readers are told that the best way to avoid catching colds and flu is to avoid other people, but are told later on that sex can keep colds at bay because it produces higher levels of the antibody immunoglobin A, which helps fight infection. The article adds 'hugging and touching others regularly can help.' So much for avoiding people. The rest of the article offers fairly standard and sensible advice, such as eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and eating a hot curry because some spices have antibacterial properties. The rule of thumb for hot food, according to the Star, is 'if it makes your nose run, it will flush out the germs.' Lovely.
 
 
25/07/2003
Daily Mirror
How safe are we to stick with liquorice?
A reader asks Dr Miriam Stoppard about liquorice, because she has read conflicting reports about its risks and benefits. Dr Stoppard replies that liquorice is used in the treatment of bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and as a laxative. It is also an expectorant and so it's a popular remedy for relieving blocked noses in colds and bronchitis. Glycyrrhizin in liquorice has been shown to reduce inflammation, and the flavinoids in liquorice have been shown to help kill Helicobacter pylori. However, the glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice can drain the body of essential minerals, which can cause problems such as high blood pressure. For this reason, pregnant women and those with hypertension should limit their intake.
 
 
22/07/2003
Daily Telegraph
Laughter 'the best medicine for a cold'
Researchers have found that happy people are more resistant to colds. Dr Sheldon Cohen, of Carnegie Mellon University, interviewed 334 healthy volunteers to assess their emotional states. Each volunteer received a squirt in the nose of a rhinovirus, one of the types that causes colds. People who were depressed, nervous or angry were three times more likely to get sick than those who were more energetic, happy and relaxed. The former were also more likely to moan about their symptoms, even if they were the same. The research is published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.
 
 
28/05/2003
Daily Telegraph
Why are our children put at risk from pneumonia?
A feature in today's Daily Telegraph looks at pneumonia in children. Although exact figures have not been recorded, around 10,000 children under the age of five are hospitalised by the condition every year, and the symptoms can be alarmingly general. Constant coughs and colds seem to trigger the pneumococcus bacteria, dormant in children's noses, into action. There is a vaccine available, but in Britain it is only for 'high risk' children with immune deficiencies. In France, most children are given the vaccine, while in the US, it is routinely given to all children. The rise in the number of infants with pneumonia is thought to be caused by the rise in the number of children in close contact in daycare nurseries.
 
 
27/05/2003
Daily Mail
Faster relief from the misery of cold sores
Martyn Halle describes how a new cold sore therapy can banish them twice as effectively as existing treatments. Releev, the new treatment, is based on the Echinacea plant, and in head-to-head clinical trials against Zovirax, it appeared to be almost twice as effective. Stress and colds seem to trigger the cold sore virus, and patients using Releev have reported that it usually clears their skin of a cold sore within 24 hours. The same patients found that Zovirax seemed to take a week or two to work. The article explains the causes and preventative measures for cold sores, and includes a case study of a woman who has benefited from using Releev for her cold sores.
 
 
26/02/2003
Daily Telegraph
Is whisky good for you?
Thea Jourdan notes that Margaret Thatcher used to drink whisky until dawn at times of crisis, instead of going to bed, during her time as Prime Minister. Many people swear by the medicinal properties of whisky, and a study published in the British Medical Journal found that whisky in small doses could help protect against heart disease. It has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of strokes and cataracts. Moderate drinkers are 30 per cent more likely than teetotallers to survive a heart attack They also have better overall health and wellbeing, including increased mental alertness and fewer colds. It is the antioxidants in whisky that give the drink its health benefits.
 
 
23/01/2003
Daily Mirror
One fifth of GP appointments could be dealt with by a pharmacist
According to a survey, one fifth of GP appointments could be dealt with by a pharmacist. The Royal College of GPs points out that patients should use their pharmacist for advice on coughs, colds, flu, sore throats, aches and pains and other common complaints. The NHS could save around £380 million a year if just one quarter of doctors' appointments for minor ailments were avoided. Boots the chemists has produced a guide entitled 'Take Control of Your Health' to help people access the correct medical care. The Mirror advises readers to pick up one of these leaflets from the pharmacy section of any Boots store.
 
 
07/01/2003
Daily Express
Finding comfort if a cold strikes
The subject of colds is prevalent in the papers at the moment, with both the Express and the Times tackling the issue today. In the Express, Dr Rosemary Leonard offers advice to adults on choosing the best over-the-counter cold treatments, and suggests echinacea in short bursts, but not for more than eight weeks at a time. Dr Rosemary says she believes that the best treatments for colds are natural, home-made remedies, not expensive shop-bought ones. In the Times, a reader asks Dr Jane Collins for advice about her seven-year old daughter, who has had a string of colds since October. Dr Collins also points out that cough remedies don't work particularly well, and that a healthy diet is the most important factor in getting over colds.
 
 
30/12/2002
Daily Mirror
Can teething cause a running nose and cough?
A reader asks Dr Miriam Stoppard whether teething can be the cause of a prolonged bout of coughing and a running nose in her child. Dr Stoppard points out that in 1975 the British Medical Journal said there is no excuse for ascribing fever, fits, diarrhoea, bronchitis or rashes to teething. Careful studies since this time show that teething is associated with only minor and relatively rare symptoms, but health care workers are still wrongly blaming teething for many baby ailments. Some GPs and paediatricians still say that teething can lead to infections - most commonly colds and ear infections. Dr Stoppard argues that this approach might lead to a late diagnosis of an important illness, and suggests that the reader should ask to be referred to an ENT specialist.
 
 
23/12/2002
Daily Star
How to cure your cold
Matt John in the Daily Star says scientists have found a perfect cure for colds over the festive period - watching Only Fools and Horses. Medical tests by Dr Lee Berk, a medical research scientist in California, have shown that the psychological effects of laughter can help combat viruses and bacteria. The report goes on to say that a good chuckle is said to increase the antibodies that fight colds and infections.
 
 
19/12/2002
The Sun
Steer clear of pneumonia this winter
The Sun advises readers on how to avoid pneumonia this winter, as the temperature plummets. Most cases of colds, flu and pneumonia strike at this time of year, and can kill elderly people who 'feel cut off and don't like to bother the GP.' Two GPs have spearheaded a pneumonia awareness campaign, and are urging people to contact their GP if they feel unwell, in case it is something serious. The symptoms of pneumonia include breathlessness, a tight chest, fever, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Readers are advised to keep warm, and to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as plenty of fibre.
 
 
19/12/2002
The Times
Ginger - the magic root
The health benefits of ginger are examined in detail in today's Times, which reports that the 'magic root' can treat coughs, colds, arthritic pain, headaches, circulatory disorders and indigestion. The Chinese even used it to treat impotence, because of its benefits for the circulation. A recent trial showed that ginger, when given to naval cadets, was superior to a placebo in quelling seasickness, but other studies have shown it to be no more effective from other, standard treatments for the condition. Vita Healthcare makes Zinaxin, a ginger preparation that aims to improve mobility in joints and limbs. No side effects have been reported with this preparation. Initially, it caused indigestion in some patients, but the formula has now been refined.
 
 
18/12/2002
Daily Mail
Echinacea could make colds last longer
James Chapman reports that a trial of Echinacea, marketed as an immune system booster, found that people who took it felt ill for slightly longer. US researchers tested its effects on almost 150 students coming down with colds. Half the group received a dose of two types of Echinacea on the first day of symptoms and for up to nine days longer, depending on how their illness progressed. The others took dummy pills. The scientists found that there was no significant difference between the groups in the duration or severity of their symptoms, and that those taking the herb were ill for just over half a day longer. Dr Bruce Barrett, who led the study, said he would not recommend Echinacea as a cold treatment.
 
 
16/12/2002
Daily Mail
How a glass or two of wine can help beat those colds
Jenny Hope reports that drinking moderate amounts of wine can help develop immunity to the common cold. In a recent Spanish study, more than 4,000 people completed questionnaires about their drinking and smoking habits, other lifestyle factors, and any colds that developed over the course of a year. Just over 1,500 colds were recorded, and analysis revealed a link between drinking more than 14 glasses of wine and a 40 per cent lower risk of getting a cold. The results were not changed by factors such as vitamin C intake or contact with children. The researchers think that the key ingredients in wine having the protective effect are the flavonoids. These are thought to mop up excesses of harmful chemicals produced by the body. Daily exercise is also recommended to ward off colds.
 
 
29/11/2002
Daily Telegraph
A cold, flu or is it RSV?
Christine Doyle looks at the occurrence of flu among the general population this winter. The latest figures show that there is a 'background level' of flu at the moment, and that it is nowhere near becoming an epidemic this year. Dr Douglas Fleming, head of the Royal College of General Practitioners research unit, says that ordinary colds probably account for much of what is going around at the moment. People with flu-like symptoms may have respiratory syncytial virus, which has many of the symptoms of colds and flu, but without the fever. People who have had a cold or RSV once this winter will not be immune to further attacks, because the viruses mutate so quickly, and there are so many different ones around. Readers are advised to wrap up warmly and to keep their noses warm.
 
 
18/11/2002
Daily Express
Cold cure for child asthma
Both the Express and the Guardian advise readers to keep young babies away from people with coughs and colds to cut their chances of developing asthma. British researchers have found that respiratory syncytial virus will infect most children within the first year of life, and can keep re-infecting because it is able to move around the immune system. RSV leads to bronchiolitis for some infants, around 40 per cent of whom then go on to develop asthma. This discovery appears to contradict the theory that early exposure to infection aids the development of a healthy immune system. The findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
 
 
05/11/2002
Daily Telegraph
There's more to colds than meets the eye
Dr James Le Fanu explains, in his 'Doctor's Diary', that prolonged colds in children are exceedingly common, and that the main problem is not the acute viral infection itself, but its damaging effect on the cilia in the nose, compromising their ability to clear mucus effectively. Treatment should be directed at compensating for the poor functioning of the cilia, with saline sprays or douching. A saline treatment can mechanically remove mucus, improve comfort and reduce the tenacity of secretions, but antibiotics and decongestants are of little value. If children have symptoms throughout the year, it is probably because they are allergic to dust mites, and will benefit from steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines.
 
 
11/10/2002
The Guardian
Babies at risk because of myths about teething
Sarah Boseley reports that health professionals still believe that teething in babies can cause colds and infections, while overlooking genuine illness. This has been happening for the past 25 years, despite advice published in the BMJ in 1975, which said, 'There can be no excuse for ascribing fevers, fits, diarrhoea, bronchitis or rashes to teething.' There is good evidence that teething is a minor event with relatively infrequent symptoms, yet doctors still prescribe paracetamol, and advise rubbing medicated gel onto the baby's gums. There are fears that this approach could lead to late diagnosis of more important illnesses in babies.
 
 
04/10/2002
Daily Telegraph
Can Echinacea be given to children?
Dr Sarah Brewer advises a reader who wants to give Echinacea to her children this winter, to stop them from getting their usual colds. Dr Brewer recommends Potter's Elixir of Echinacea and Bioforce's Echinacea Junior. Echinacea and elderberry are said to be a beneficial combination, and adding an elderberry extract is known to help children bounce back more quickly. In one trial, involving 40 children and adults with respiratory viral infections, 93 per cent of those receiving elderberry extracts showed significant clinical improvement within two days, while those on a placebo took six days to recover. Dr Brewer recommends Sambucol For Kids, containing elderberry, propolis, zinc and vitamin C.
 
 
01/10/2002
Daily Mail
How to protect yourself against flu
A double-page spread examines the influenza virus in detail, and reports that the virus is tipped to reach epidemic levels this year. The Department of Health has launched this year's flu vaccination campaign, and Asda supermarkets will be offering the jab to thousands of customers at a cut-price rate. The article examines the causes, symptoms, drugs to fight the virus, and the content of the flu vaccine. The article also helps to differentiate between colds and flu, and explains that this year's flu virus could hit hard because there may be super-strains of the virus, which people's immune systems are not geared up to cope with. The article advises readers on how to cut their risk of catching flu.
 
 
30/09/2002
Daily Express
Star cures for winter blues
Claire Petulengo examines the personality traits of those under each of the signs of the zodiac, and recommends treatments and preventative measures for the types of winter ailments likely to afflict people under certain signs. She suggests foods to promote overall general health, especially for those who don't eat properly because of active lifestyles and stress. She also suggests remedies for insomnia, sore throats, and indigestion, and recommends that Virgos should have a flu vaccination. Another article in the Express argues that suppressing the symptoms of a cold with drugs can cause illness to recur. The article takes a detailed look at ways of relieving all the symptoms of colds using natural remedies.
 
 
26/09/2002
The Sun
Good kip boosts flu jab
Deputy health editor Kate Williams reports on a new study which says that lack of sleep may make flu jabs less effective. The US study's author is Dr Eve Van Cauter and is published in the Journal of The American Medical Association. Van Cauter experimented with sleep deprivation and flu vaccinations and said that there was evidence that lack of sleep had adverse health effects and can make people more prone to colds and other illnesses. The item notes that GPs should start getting the vaccines next month.
 
 
20/09/2002
Daily Telegraph
Does vitamin E increase the risk of colds in older people?
A reader asks Dr Sarah Brewer whether it is true that vitamin E increases the risk of colds in older people, and Dr Brewer says that it is not. Studies have shown that vitamin E supplements increase immunity in older people, and suspects that the people in the most recent trial were deficient in selenium, explaining their increased susceptibility to viruses. Dr Brewer explains that vitamin E and selenium need to be taken together because they work together to create antibodies, and goes on to say that vitamin E can even increase life expectancy.
 
 
16/09/2002
Daily Mirror
I need a booster (immune systems and supplements)
The Dear Miriam page in the Mirror carries a letter from a 60 year old asthma sufferer who asks if she would benefit from taking vitamins to boost her immune system in order to ward off twice yearly colds which frequently infect her lungs. Miriam replies that boosting the immune system is a medically meaningless term, bandied about in the hope that one would buy a product for which the claim is made.
 
 
30/08/2002
Daily Telegraph
Back-to-school illnesses
Judy McRae, from the Royal College of Nursing, is quoted today in an article about the illnesses children can catch at school. She says, 'Infections don't always occur the moment children go back to school in September. They tend to be seasonal, so children in a reception class are likely to pick up bugs throughout the year. The article examines the symptoms, and required treatment action, for chickenpox, common colds, gastro-enteritis, threadworms, head lice and verrucae. Ms McRae advises parents to keep ill children at home, unless it is only minor, in which case the child may forget about it during the course of the day, but could come home if it got worse.
 
 
15/08/2002
Financial Times
Hay fever device could stop colds
Research at the University of Plymouth post-graduate medical school has shown that a device can filter out viruses and bacteria to prevent colds, flu, meningitis and cigarette smoke. The Hay Fever Guard, currently used only by hay fever sufferers, is a thin strip of plastic joining two tiny cones which are inserted into the nostrils. They act as a barrier to pollen and prevent allergic reactions.
 
 
14/08/2002
Daily Telegraph
Warning over vitamin E pills
A snippet reveals the results of a Dutch trial involving 652 people, examining the effects of vitamin E pills. The study found that daily vitamin E pills may increase the risk of coughs, colds and chest infections in elderly people. The findings come a month after British experts said that vitamin supplements had no noticeable effect on cancer, heart disease or other fatal diseases. The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
 
 
14/01/2002
Daily Star
Bills are a blow
Britain is facing its worst cold epidemic for 100 years and stress is to blame. Doubling last year's figures. Professor Ron Eccles,of the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff, said people are getting colds because of the Christmas and New Year effect.
 
 
11/01/2002
Daily Express
Why the cold virus is crippling Britain
Dosing up on cold remedies might get us into work but there is a growing suspicion that they make colds last longer. The reason is that they usually contain aspirin-like compounds which reduce fever. This article looks back and tries to find solutions to eradicating colds forever.
 
 
04/01/2002
Daily Express
Pills that can never cure flu
Antibiotics should not be used to treat coughs, colds and flu, the Government warned last night. The unnecessary use of the drugs is a key factor in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
 
 
19/12/2001
The Daily Telegraph
New drug 'reduces symptoms of colds'
Scientists in America have announced that the development of an anti-viral drug that erases symptoms and shortens the duration of the common cold is almost complete. The developers, ViroPharma, plan for the drug - pleconaril, which targets picornaviruses - to go on sale in the US next autumn.
 
 
03/12/2001
Daily Express
Ask the expert
Homoeopath and acupuncturist Dr Richard Halvorsen gives advice to readers on sexual problems, debilitating colds and a worrying excess of saliva.