CHICAGO (voa) – U.S. scientists have developed medicine that effectively reduces the length and severity of the common cold.
In trials involving more than 2,000 people, the drug, known as pleconaril, was proven to alleviate symptoms – such as sniffles, sore throats, coughs and congestion – all within 24 hours. It also makes a runny nose completely clear up a day sooner than usual.
Most non-prescription medicines currently available only ease cold symptoms by drying up plugged noses and relieving pain.
Pleconaril actually attacks the cold virus itself. The findings were presented Monday at an infectious-disease conference in Chicago sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology.
The new drug will not be available until next year. Analysts say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be extremely cautious before allowing the sale of Pleconaril. This is because any medicine to treat a non-lethal infection in healthy people must be extremely safe.
