Probiotics to Prevent or Mitigate the Common Cold

Abstract

Eunha Jin

Upper respiratory tract infection, or the common cold, is a nonspecific term used to describe acute infections often caused by viruses. There are millions of cases of the common cold yearly in the United States. Probiotics are live microorganisms when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. Although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, the application of probiotics shows promising activity in systemic immune modulations. There is now a growing body of evidence that suggests the potential benefits of probiotics in reducing the incidence and/or mitigating the symptoms associated with the common cold in otherwise healthy people of all ages.

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