cough and cold prevention

Thanks Anya. I did buy some of these pastilles when it was bad over Christmas and yes, they tasted awful but helped at the time. I have looked for them since and am under the impression that they have been ferreted away by that well known thief, my son. I have to strap everything down in this house! I shall buy some more and hide them. Thanks for reminding me.

You are welcome

I agree with granjo39, probably vitamin C but the best preventative in our experience has been Echinacea! I'm telling you third hand so this is maybe a bit suspect but one of my friends daughters works in a research department at Boston University. Another research team along the corridor is dealing with the common cold. After research with a large sample they are coming to the conclusion (not yet published according to my friend) that Echinacea is better than anything in prevention, and a lot better than Vitamin C. We (DH et moi) just take it when we meet anyone with a cold or the grandchildren have colds, but you can take it continuously, it really boosts the immune system. You can buy it from the pharmacist at supermarkets or any pharmacist. Certainly all my friend's family (extensive) and we have found it works. I have dosed up our guests when either of us have a cold and they haven't caught it (may just be a coincidence?) so we believe it is effective! It even strengthens you when you have a cold we think.

There is no evidence that Vitamin C prevents colds - the one exception is people who have done a marathon or other extreme exertion.
This despite a lot of research.
May be an effect on the duration of colds but evidence is not clear.
www.cochrane.org/CD000530/ARI_echinacea-for-preventing-and-treating-the-common-cold

There is very little evidence that echinacea prevents colds. It may, slightly, shorten them but it is a weak effect.
www.cochrane.org/CD000530/ARI_echinacea-for-preventing-and-treating-the-common-cold

These conclusions were reached after careful examination of the most well-conducted studies.

Washing hands is the single best prevention - and keeping hands away from face. In one study middle aged women who went on a walk in the fresh air every day got fewer colds.