We recently came across a post shared in a local Telegram chat group, along with similar content shared on X. These posts claim that the common cold is not a sickness or a symptom of an illness, but rather, is a process of detoxification itself, supposedly flushing out “debris, toxins, plastics, and chemicals” from the body.
What is the common cold?
The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection, which primarily affects the nose, airways and throat. While rhinoviruses are the most common cause, a cold can also be triggered by other viruses including influenza and parainfluenza.
The virus is often spread through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Additionally, colds can be transmitted through direct contact, and indirect contact such as through objects and surfaces.
Cold symptoms typically include nasal congestion, sneezing and a mild fever. Mucus, which often increases during a cold, is an important part of the body’s defence system, by trapping virus particles and preventing them from entering the bloodstream. However, experts state that this does not mean that a cold is a way for the body to remove toxins or debris.
Image credit: Cleveland Clinic
Is there a cure for the common cold?
As noted in the posts circulating online, there is indeed no cure for the common cold. Dr Ellen Foxman, a medical researcher and clinical pathologist from Yale University, explains that rhinoviruses rapidly mutate and develop multiple strains and variants, making it difficult to develop a vaccine, unlike with the flu. She also emphasised that antibiotics are not effective against colds, as they target bacteria, not viruses.
Instead, doctors typically prescribe medication to manage and alleviate cold symptoms. The common cold is generally self-resolving, with the infection lasting between 3-14 days.
However, Singapore’s digital health platform HealthHub, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Board, and major healthcare providers like the National Healthcare Group, advises seeking medical treatment if symptoms such as high fever or a cough with thick phlegm occur, particularly in vulnerable groups like the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
Does the body need detoxification?
The human body is designed to naturally remove toxins on its own. The liver and the kidney primarily flush out toxins from the digestive system and the blood, while the lungs filter out unwanted gases. Other organs, including the skin, blood vessels and intestines, also work in tandem with the liver, kidneys, and lungs to eliminate toxins from the body.
Hence, the body does not specifically require other processes, such as forced detoxes or cleanses, to detoxify the system. Rather, some experts note that detoxes or cleanses, such as liquid diets or prolonged fasting, could do more harm than good for the body.
Therefore, the claim that the common cold is a detoxification process rather than an illness is false. The common cold is a viral infection and there is no evidence to suggest that it serves as the body’s mechanism for expelling toxins.
