M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / The common cold is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, usually afebrile in nature. It is characterized by inflammation of the airways (Beers and Porter 2006). Influenza, commonly referred to as “flu”, is an acute and highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is easily spread by sneezing and coughing (Balch, 2006). Conventional medication typically includes: aspirin, nasal decongestants, antihistamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiviral drugs, but these substances may produce unwanted side-effects. If a secondary bacterial infection develops, antibiotics are added (Beers, 2003). Linctagon® Forte Capsules are a self-help proprietary medication by Nativa containing Pelargonium sidoides, Quercetin, Bromelain and Zinc, and is used for the treatment of colds and influenza (Nativa, 2011), but further research is required for this product. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Linctagon® Forte Capsules on the symptoms of colds and influenza of female resident students between the ages of eighteen and thirty five years at the University of Johannesburg. Efficacy was determined by means of a modified “Severity of Symptoms Questionnaire” and a modified “Quality of Life Questionnaire”. Thirty female participants, aged between 18 and 35 years, with symptoms of common cold and influenza, were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were recruited by means of advertising flyers and posters at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) campuses as well as the University of Johannesburg female residences. Participants that presented with any of the common cold or influenza symptoms were to immediately contact the researcher to set up an initial interview. The study was conducted over an eight day period with a total of three consultations. During the first consultation, the participants were requested to sign a “Participant Profile Form”, a “Participant Information and Consent Form” and undergo the relevant physical examinations. Participants were then given either the placebo capsules or the Linctagon® Forte Capsules and instructed to take one capsule three times daily. Participants were also requested to complete a modified “Severity of Symptoms Questionnaire” and a modified “Quality of Life Questionnaire” every evening for the duration of the study. All data collected during the study was statistically analysed using Chi Square as well as the Descriptive Analysis (Smith, 2011).

M.Tech. (Homeopathy) / The common cold and influenza (flu) are both acute viral infections affecting the upper respiratory tract (Beers & Porter, 2006). The common cold typically presents with rhinorrhea, sneezing, and a sore throat (Kansal & Kaushal, 2004), and influenza causes fever, coryza, cough, headache, malaise and body pain (Beers & Porter, 2006). Millions of school and work days are missed annually due to cold and influenza symptoms (Fendrick et al., 2003). Students at universities have a high incidence of colds and influenza due to raised levels of stress and close contact with other infected individuals (Zachary, 2006). Researchers believe that Interleukin-6 (a protein in the body responsible for co-ordination of immune response) may be a biological link between psychological stress and the severity of cold and influenza symptoms. This may make students more susceptible to the common cold and influenza (Mercola, 1999). Conventional treatment for both conditions is comprised of analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anti-viral drugs, all of which have numerous adverse effects (Roxas & Jurenka, 2007). Linctagon® Forte capsules consists of four ingredients: Pelargonium sidoides (333mg), Quercetin (80mg), Bromelain (53mg) and Zinc (5mg) and are purported to provide antiviral support in the treatment of colds and influenza. The aim of this eight-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the efficacy of Linctagon® Forte Capsules in the treatment of cold and influenza symptoms on first and second year Health Sciences students from the University of Johannesburg. Thirty seven students from the first and second year Health Sciences Faculty of the University of Johannesburg, suffering from common cold or influenza symptoms, were recruited to participate. This included male and female students between the ages of 18 to 30 years. Advertisements (Appendix A) were placed at the UJ Health Training Centre, classrooms and on campus, with relevant permission given. Thirty participants completed the study and seven students did not complete due to poor compliance. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were dealt with by completion of a Participant Information and Consent Form (Appendix B) as well as a Participant Profile Form which recorded all initial symptoms (Appendix C). All participants were required to have a minimum of five of the ten symptoms represented on the Participant Profile form (Appendix C). Once participants were accepted into the study they were allocated to either Group A or Group B, with 15 participants in each group. The medication bottles were packaged and labelled by Nativa (24 capsules in a 100mg container), and the active medication and the placebo were randomised by means of a coding system, Batch “A” and Batch “B”. Group A received the Linctagon® Forte Capsules and Group B received the unmedicated lactose capsules. The participants were requested to take 1 capsule three times per day. Each participant was given eight Symptom Score Cards (Appendix D) to complete each card every morning and evening for the eight day period, to rate the severity of their symptoms according to a 5-point rating system. The influenza and common cold symptoms were analysed according to their decrease in frequency and intensity over the set period of time. Data was only recorded and analysed for days one to seven due to poor compliance by participants in both groups with regards to completion of the Symptom Score Cards towards the end of the study. Both the treatment (Group A) and the placebo (Group B) groups showed similar improvement in symptom severity over the entire research period, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups. This shows neither group outperformed the other, supporting the null hypothesis. Small sample size, the placebo effect and low dosages of certain of the active ingredients are possible factors involved in the results seen, and should be considered for future studies.