Treatment of Viral Illness with Zinc and Vitamin C

Introduction to Zinc Supplementation

The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends zinc acetate or zinc gluconate lozenges at doses ≥75 mg/day taken within 24 hours of symptom onset to significantly reduce common cold duration 1, 2
Zinc supplementation must be continued throughout the entire cold at this therapeutic dose for optimal benefit 1, 2
The American College of Physicians suggests that prophylactic zinc supplementation cannot be recommended due to insufficient data 1, 2

The American Academy of Otolaryngology states that vitamin C shows consistent effects on reducing duration and severity of colds in regular supplementation studies 1, 2
Given its low cost and safety profile, the American College of Physicians suggests that it may be worthwhile for individual patients to trial therapeutic vitamin C to determine personal benefit 1, 2
The Annals of Internal Medicine reports that no evidence supports vitamin C for preventing the common cold in the general population 4

Antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic combinations provide significant symptom relief in 1 out of 4 adults treated, according to the American College of Physicians 1, 4
Ipratropium bromide effectively ameliorates rhinorrhea specifically, as stated by the American Academy of Otolaryngology 1, 2
NSAIDs provide benefits for headache, ear pain, muscle/joint pain, and malaise, as reported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology 1

The American Academy of Otolaryngology and the American College of Physicians recommend that patients should not rely on dietary supplements to prevent or treat viral illnesses, and evidence-based medical guidelines should guide treatment decisions 1, 4
Ensuring adequate nutritional status in malnourished or high-risk patients is reasonable to maximize anti-infection defense, according to the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism 7