Considering how much the cold-relief pharmaceuticals industry is worth worldwide, would it be economically viable to let a vaccine for the common-cold reach our populations?
2006-10-16 09:35:02 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061016134958AAzwX9W&r=w
2006-10-19 00:02:46 · update #1
Actually there are only twenty something strains of the common cold virus, we just keep catching them because they mutate their appearance easily and our white blood cells don't recognise them. I'm not sure who's saying there are 1000s, there aren't. It's an interesting point. However I think the government would want a cure for the common cold, as in weak people it can lead to infections etc that put tremendous strain on the NHS and anything they can do to try and stop the NHS looking bad, they will probably do. However if a cure had been invented for a virus it would be such a break-through as at the moment we cannot cure viruses. It would lead to possible treatments for hundreds of incurable diseases, like HIV, so I'm kinda doubtful anyone would cover that up. But you never know...
2006-10-17 09:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by roberta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question, I have long been speculating that a cure is known and that cold remedy companies are paying for it to be kept off trhge market. The reason I say that, is because there used to be a product called zincold which prevented you from getting a cold. It seemed to work (as a prevention, not a cure) and I can not see it on the shelves these days. Maybe I am a cynic - but I defietely think it's a possibility. Anyway incase you are interested, one of the active ingredients was zinc. If anyone near me has a cold, I take some vitamins .. namley Zinc Gluconate and Vit C tablets, this seems to make me a lot less likely to catch the cold, either that or my immune system has seriously improved lately by itself!!
2016-05-22 07:07:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think there could ever be a cure for the common cold- every time we get it we may have the same symptoms, but we catch a different strain of it every time-and there are hundreds of strains. I agree with you though- there is so much crap on the market that claims to alleviate symptoms and that people are willing to spend a fortune on, that the industries that make these products would fold if there was a vaccine.
2006-10-16 09:42:06 · answer #3 · answered by apple84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are thousands of viruses that cause what we call the common cold, and these viruses are continuously mutating. When we catch a cold, recovery makes us immune to the same virus, but there are always 1000's more ready to attack. A vaccine isn't practical in these circumstances. Zycam, an OTC nasal spray can reduce the time spent in recovery by half. There are also broad spectrum antiviral meds, but since a cold is not life threatening and is self limiting, they aren't prescribed except in rare cases (the immunocompromised individual).
2006-10-16 14:20:12 · answer #4 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No way would it become available. I personally think there is a cure out there for lots of illnesses but they do not go on the market because the pharmaceutical companies make far too much from remedies.
2006-10-16 09:37:48 · answer #5 · answered by Ally 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will probably never be a cure for the common cold as there are so many thousands of strains of it that there can never be a drug made qick enough to keep up with it. It is also a viral illness and mutates constantly and changes probably daily so it would be like pouring water through a sieve trying to find a cure. We have to just get on with it and cope when it hits us!!
2006-10-16 09:46:12 · answer #6 · answered by helen p 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is a cure for colds, orange juice nice and hot and freshly made at home and diluted with 1/2 and 1/2 with water and heated in microwave. should do the trick and add lil bit of salt which can help in replacing the salts u loose whilst in a flu.
2006-10-16 09:43:43 · answer #7 · answered by allgiggles1984 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has been rumored, and some of us believe, that certain populatons already have cures for certain "terminal" illnesses, and that our government has been offered these "cures" on various levels, but have refused them." I don't think that our government would ever allow it......the economy would be in danger of failing in many respects. human life, is sometimes pushed aside for the almighty dollar on this place called earth. I also believe that some medications are actually used "to keep us sick, to to induce illness." there are doctors and pharmacists out there who have our health in mind, and those who either turn their head the other way or worse.
2006-10-16 09:47:05 · answer #8 · answered by amber 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. There would be much more money to be made through increased productivity and less time lost from work. The cure itself would make tremendous amounts of cash.
2006-10-18 07:25:25 · answer #9 · answered by stopmeifimwrong 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there was a cure readily avaiable, i believe it would be given out. with the common cold evolving there is no certain asnwer
2006-10-17 05:23:55 · answer #10 · answered by flaming_teal_eyed_skulls_0201 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋