Over the last few weeks, my office has been inundated with upper respiratory infections. These are presenting with mild to severe symptoms of:

• stuffy or runny nose
• sore throat
• cough
• sneezing
• a mild fever or headache.
• Often it is mild, but occasionally severe lasting 7-10 days, especially if you’ve been under stress or have a suppressed immune system
• It triggers asthma attacks, sinusitis and ear infections

Rhinovirus is a type of virus that’s the most common cause of the common cold. It belongs to the genus Enterovirus within the family Picornaviridae. These are small, single-stranded RNA viruses that thrive in the human upper respiratory tract, particularly in the nose—hence the name “rhino,” from the Greek word for nose.

Rhinovirus flairs up in the spring, and mimics other forms of the common cold like the coronaviruses.

Treatment? There’s no cure or specific antiviral for it. You’re looking at rest, fluids, and over-the-counter stuff to ease symptoms—think decongestants or pain relievers. Antibiotics won’t help since it’s viral, not bacterial unless we are treating a secondary sinus or ear infection. Prevention’s your best bet: wash hands, avoid face-touching, and steer clear of sick folks when you can.

A number of herbal plants have been studied for their antiviral potential in humans.

• Elderberry – widely recognized for its antiviral properties, especially against influenza and cold viruses. Studies suggest it can inhibit viral replication and boost immune response by increasing cytokine production.
• Echinacea – Boosts the immune system and may have direct antiviral effects by interfering with viral entry and replication.
• Licorice Root – Contains glycyrrhizin, which has shown antiviral activity against a range of viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV, influenza) by disrupting viral envelopes or replication.
• Ginger – Has compounds like gingerols and shogaols with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. May inhibit viral attachment and stimulate immunity.
• Garlic – Allicin and other sulfur compounds give it antiviral, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties.
• Oregano – Carvacrol and thymol have antiviral effects, potentially disrupting viral membranes.
• Peppermint – Menthol and other compounds may have mild antiviral effects and decongestant properties.
• Astragalus – Boosts immune function and may inhibit viral replication.

You can find my favorite combination of herbs for viral infections at VitalHealth

If you need to see me because your symptoms are severe, Ivermectin is a well-known anti-parasitic drug, originally developed to treat infections like river blindness and strongyloidiasis, but it has also been investigated for potential antiviral properties. Its antiviral effects stem from its ability to interfere with certain viral processes, particularly by targeting host cell mechanisms that viruses exploit to replicate.

In lab studies, ivermectin has shown broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a variety of viruses, especially RNA viruses like Rhiniovirus and coronaviruses. It’s thought to work by inhibiting the nuclear import of viral proteins, a process mediated by the host’s importin α/β1 transport system. Many viruses rely on this pathway to shuttle their proteins into the cell nucleus, where they can hijack replication machinery. By disrupting this, ivermectin can reduce viral replication. For example, studies have demonstrated it can inhibit viruses like Dengue, Zika, West Nile, and HIV-1 in cell cultures, often by blocking the interaction between viral proteins and importin.

Clinical evidence is mixed. Small trials, like one in Argentina with high-dose ivermectin (0.6 mg/kg daily for 5 days), found faster viral load drops in patients with higher plasma levels, hinting at a dose-dependent effect. Another study in non-hospitalized coronavirus patients showed reduced viral viability in culture.

There you have it. Your primer on treatment of Viral infections.

To Your Health and Longevity,

Adam Nally, DO