Hesperidine and ascorbic acid in the prevention of upper respiratory infections.

This study stems from observations made on a number of poliomyelitis patients treated with hesperidin and ascorbic acid (Hesper-C‡) five years ago as a prophylactic measure to maintain normal capillary integrity. We originally treated 48 patients, ranging in age from 15 to 35 years, with 800 mg. each of hesperidin and ascorbic acid daily, to correct capillary fragility, and then continued these patients on 200 mg. of each substance as a prophylactic measure to maintain normal capillary integrity. At the end of the winter months, a number of these patients inquired if the pills "prevented colds." They found that they had been free of colds, while members of their families had to be treated for colds. These reports aroused our interest and stimulated us to survey all 48 patients given hesperidin and ascorbic acid in order to maintain normal capillary integrity, but without intending to prevent the common cold. Our first survey disclosed the following data: (1) 48 patients were started on hesperidin and ascorbic acid; (2) of these, 40 reported no colds or experienced only one or two mild attacks; (3) the remaining 8 said their colds were as bad as or worse than those of the previous winter; and (4) 35 family contacts of these patients sought medical advice and attention from their physicians on an average of three times during this period. It was decided to follow these patients for another year to observe what effect hesperidin and ascorbic acid would have on the incidence of colds in these same patients. They were advised to continue with the capsules of hesperidin and ascorbic acid (100 mg. of each substance per capsule), two capsules daily, throughout the year. Following the second winter season, we obtained reports from 42 of the 48 patients, as follows: (1) of the 42 patients, 37 were adequately "protected," since they reported no colds or one to two mild colds; (2) 4 patients each reported three colds, lasting an average of three days in each instance; (3) 1 patient reported five colds, each lasting five to seven days; and (4) family contacts not taking hesperidin and ascorbic acid sought relief for colds on an average of three times during this period.