The Effect of Zinc Sulfate on Duration of Common Cold Symptoms in Children

Abstract

At the age of 1-7 years, the common cold is prevalence among children. It usually happens 6 to 7 times a year among children. An effective and safe drug is needed to reduce the duration of common colds symptoms in children and reduce subsequent complications. In some studies, zinc sulfate has showed an antiviral effect and immune enhancing activity. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of zinc sulfate in duration of colds’ symptoms in children. In this study, 112 children with common cold who are between 6-7 years old divided into two groups. Case group received zinc sulfate within 10 days and Control group didn’t receive this drug. The symptoms like rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction, cough, sneezing, fever and duration of illness were checked out in both groups by questionnaire. In children with common cold, a significant decrease was observed in the mean duration of rhinorrhea, cough and nasal obstruction .Compared to the group that didn’t receive zinc sulfate, the zinc group had shorter mean duration of sneezing and fever. The mean duration of illness in patients who had received the zinc sulfate was significantly less than the other group. No side effect was observed in subjects received zinc sulfate. Based on our result, zinc sulfate can be administered with other supportive treatments of common cold, for reduction of symptoms duration and complications in children.