A 16 year old boy N. J. (Patient Ref. No. L7981) came to us with the complaint of recurrent colds since childhood. The attacks would appear once a month lasting for about 10 days each time. During the acute episodes, he would have constant sneezing, watering from the eyes, mild cough with white expectoration. The colds were precipitated by change of climate and exposure to smoke. It would be worse during morning hours. He would often require antibiotics for the same.

The patient was a lean boy with a normal appetite. He was fond of spicy and junk food. There was marked aversion for fruits and yogurt. His perspiration was offensive. There were no complaints pertaining to bowel and bladder functions.

He stayed with his parents, paternal uncle, aunt and cousins. He was reserved by nature but also quite irritable and short tempered. His mother described him to be of a sympathetic nature.

His mother suffered from allergic rhinitis and his father had bronchitis. Apart from this, there was no other history of any major illness in his past or in the family.

Based on this totality, a constitutional medicine, Silicea 200, was prescribed for his complaints of recurrent colds. With regular homeopathic treatment, the frequency of his colds reduced considerably within six months. He suffered from just one acute episode of cold in six months, which was taken well care off. He was able to tolerate the change in climate much better than before. His general health improved considerably. The patient had not required any antibiotics during the entire course of homeopathic treatment.

This case illustrates how a well chosen constitutional homeopathic remedy can effectively treat a patient with chronic illness and how frequent colds respond very positively to Homeopathic treatment.

Remark: The remedy prescribed in these cases is patient-specific i.e. it has been prescribed based on the symptoms specific to the patient at that point of time. It is advisable that the patient does not indulge in any self-medication.