<p>I know that Airborne had to retract a lot of their claims, but is there evidence that this product provides any benefit? For some reason, I keep buying it – maybe I am just paying for a placebo effect (which wouldn’t be the world’s worst thing).</p>
<p>I tried Airborne once. It tasted so vile that I’d rather be sick than take it again! :-& </p>
<p>If it makes you drink more water, it will help keep you more hydrated. It has a LOT of high dose vitamin C. The studies I’ve seen on vitamin C and other supplements do not support their use for normal, healthy folks. As my internist says, it simply gives folks “expensive pee.”</p>
<p>OTOH, my D swears by it after getting sick one too many times especially while traveling.</p>
<p>There is no scientific evidence that Airborne works. They have done a terrific job of marketing ("Invented by a Schoolteacher!) and anecdotal “evidence” abounds. I just finished reading a rather scholarly book on colds (because I have one) and it sounds like the current thinking is that your best bet is to suck on zinc lozenges at the first sign of a cold–there is evidence that it helps shorten the duration if you start right away. Of course, prevention via frequent hand-washing, and using your own pen at the grocery, bank, etc. is the best medicine!</p>
<p>I am usually a skeptic about “expensive pee” things, but I am a believer in Airborne. I have felt like I was coming down with something; taken an airborne a time or two and have felt better. I have had colds not last as long. And the true kicker for me is that I used to get sick every plane ride. Now an Airborne before and after (and yes, washing hands and sanitizer in pocket) I have not gotten sick on any ride this year! (took 8 plane trips if you count segments separately). Anecdotal, yes, but works for me!</p>
<p>I take Airbourne every single time before I fly anywhere and have never gotten one of those colds people seem to get when they fly (my best friend gets one every time, no matter where she flies). Maybe I just have a strong constitution.</p>
<p>Here’s another anecdote: I fly a lot, have never taken Airbourne, and have never gotten a cold after flying.</p>
<p>As they say, the plural of anecdote is not data.</p>
<p>Just expensive vitamins.</p>
<p>I never take it and have never gotten a cold after flying. I just spent 11 hours flying home a couple of days ago, so still crossing my fingers. Did not hear anyone coughing or sneezing on my flight, though.</p>
<p>If there’s no scientific data backing it up, I won’t take it. I am CONSTANTLY getting advice from friends and family about some new diet that will cure my son’s schizophrenia. Uh, no… When I ask for links to scientific studies, they will say, “It worked for so and so!” Sigh.</p>
<p>My dtr used to work in a pharmacy and suggested Airborne so I use it whenever I feel a cold coming on or when I already have one. I know it works for me.</p>
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<p><a href=“Common Cold Facts: Causes, Viruses, Prevention, Kids and Colds, and More”>Common Cold Facts: Causes, Viruses, Prevention, Kids and Colds, and More;
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<p><a href=“Does Airborne Really Stave off Colds? - ABC News”>http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=1664514</a></p>
<p>I find this company to be really shady.</p>
<p>They are VITAMINS. There is nothing special about them. They no longer claim that they can either treat or prevent colds.</p>
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<p>That’s unbelievably rude. Like there’s a miracle cure for schizophrenia that doctors are cruelly keeping from you, yeah, sure.</p>
<p>H (a scientist who works at a major pharmaceutical), will take zinc when he feels a cold coming on. He does believe it shortens the duration of the cold. Case in point… last month I came down with a cold after traveling (alone… without H) and did not take zinc. I was sick over two weeks and it developed into bronchitis. He took zinc from day one of a scratchy throat and at the end of one week was back to normal. </p>
<p>@MaineLonghorn - you really need to start finding ‘cures’ for their ailments or their loved ones’ ailments, and sending links to articles about them. </p>
<p>@teriwtt, that’s a good idea! They don’t tend to listen to me. When I told my husband’s siblings they needed to get themselves and their kids tested for a bleeding disorder since we discovered it runs in their family, they all ignore me. 
I hope they never get into a car crash and get seriously injured.</p>
<p>I DO take zinc, since I’ve read it does work. I don’t like how it makes everything taste funny, though!</p>
<p>When airborne was new, I picked up a package at an airport, read "invented by a schoolteacher!"and put it back. I had a hard enough time getting my horseshoe through security (never fly without it and have never - not once - been in a plane crash).</p>
<p>You can lose your sense of smell forever if you take zinc. The evidence that it stops colds is scanty, but the evidence that some people who take it lose their sense of smell forever is robust.</p>
<p>Interesting about the zinc. I like echinacea. Take it at the first sign of a cold and it seems to almost always fade away or lessen the symptoms quite a bit. </p>