Sniff, Sniff

The prospect that an effective way has been found to neutralize the spread of those viruses that cause most common colds marks a potentially major advance in the field of public health. Like all such advances, this one carries with it the possibility of lasting economic benefits.

Tests conducted in the United States and Australia have provided what researchers cite as “convincing evidence” that a nasal spray, containing a genetically engineered protein that occurs in minute amounts in the body, can prevent respiratory misery in people exposed to cold-causing germs. Overall, family members who used the spray when another member of their household came down with a cold reduced their risk of infection by 40%. But when the infecting agent was one of the many rhinoviruses that are known to cause colds, the spray was effective in nearly 80% of cases.

Researchers say that side effects caused by the nasal spray are minimal enough to justify its wide use. They are seeking federal approval for its sale as a prescription product, at what the company that makes the drug suggests would be a reasonable if as yet unannounced cost.

None of this, to be sure, spells the end of the common cold as we know it. Assuming that the nasal spray works as claimed, is safe and eventually is approved for sale, people will still have to be motivated to use it. That means getting a doctor’s prescription and buying the spray at the first indication of exposure to cold germs.

For many, the motivation will be there. Colds are invariably bad news for individuals, and for the economy as well. Each year hundreds of millions of work hours and billions of dollars in productivity are lost because people are sick with colds. If a safe and effective preventive for some colds has in fact been found, then a demand for that drug can be taken for granted and popular appreciation can be anticipated. That gratitude would be all the greater, of course, if the price was right.