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The common cold is the single most contagious viral infection in the United States. Colds are caused by rhinoviruses, invisible droplets in the air we breath, and can last from a few days up to a couple weeks. Zicam, a homeopathic zinc cold medicine, claims to battle colds at their onset and reduce the duration of these colds by over 50 per cent. Sounds great, but the popular cold remedy has been the subject of over 300 lawsuits by consumers, all of whom report Asomnia, or loss of taste and smell. While there are many who will testify that Zicam is an effective product, the risks may significantly outweigh the benefits.

Who wouldn't want to cut their pesky cold off from the start? Zicam claims that it's active ingredient, zinc gluconate, when administered through the nostrils, will reduce the length and severity of a cold by 3 fold. Unfortunately, zinc gluconate also inhibits the sense of smell and taste, which can put a person in unnecessary danger.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders conducted a study which examined the dangers of losing your sense of smell. In that study, they concluded that a person who has even partial loss of smell is twice as likely to have an accident that a person with a normal sense of smell would not. Such accidents may include cooking related accidents, eating or drinking foods which are spoiled, and being unable to detect a fire or gas leak.

Zicam has no warnings on it's packaging pertaining to the risk of losing sense of smell or taste and has admitted no fault, settling most of their suits out of court. Obviously the company who distributes Zicam, Matrixx, should not be trusted as there is ample evidence of the dangers of taking this product. Further, they are currently under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.

Zicam runs $10 to $12 at pharmacies.

Learn more about this author, Jacci Grannis.
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