| abstract |
The common cold and related disorders such as influenza, acute sinusitis, acute otitis, and infectious exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary disease, are best treated by providing a combination of antiviral agents and antiinflammatory compounds to a patient infected with a cold or influenza virus. An antiviral agent and two antiinflammatory compounds given to a person infected with a cold virus simultaneously reduces the likelihood of a cold developing and the amount and duration of viral shedding, as well as substantially reduces the severity of individual cold symptoms and the overall number and severity of cold symptoms. Supplementing the activity of the combined antiviral and antiinflammatory agents with such compounds as antihistamines and alpha agonists results in suprisingly good nasal benefits. The combination therapy, termed COVAM therapy, is well tolerated and has no evidence of short-term toxicity. |