Cure for common cold on the horizon
The breakthrough could lead to new treatment possibilities very soon.
Scientists in the UK believe they are closer to finding a cure to the pesky common cold everyone on planet earth has had to endure.
A five-year-study on combating rhinovirus, the main virus responsible for the common cold infection has resulted in a surprising and exciting breakthrough.
The team at Edinburgh Napier University looked into 'anti-microbial peptides' from different mammals, the Daily Mail reported. What they found was that all of them had properties to combat the virus.
This could lead to new "possibilities for treatments based on infection-fighting molecules that occur naturally in humans", the Daily Mail reported.
The news could especially bring comfort to those who suffer from chronic lung conditions such as asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease.
It is also good news for the million who get infected every year with colds. In a lifetime, an individual can suffer up to 200 colds, according to the report. Annually, children can suffer anywhere from four to eight colds.
Currently, there is no cure for the common illness. Rest, lots of fluids and painkillers are the only remedy to help combat its symptoms.
While the research is still in the early stages, the findings may be the first step to develop new drugs that could potentially cure the common cold.