Published : 2024-09-24

The effectiveness of the immune-boosting preparations in prevention and treatment of respiratory infections

Kacper Jasiński

Paulina Oleksa

Daria Żuraw

Mateusz Sobczyk

Mikołaj Porzak

Alicja Sodolska

Bartosz Pawłowski

Abstract

Respiratory infections are one of the most common diseases that both primary care physicians and specialists working in hospitals have to deal with. The percentage of these diseases is particularly high in children and, depending on the child's age, may range from 6% to even 25%. A major clinical problem is the recurrent nature of these infections and their complications. This results in receiving an increased number of medications that can cause numerous side effects. Overprescription of antibiotics and consequently, an increase of antibiotic resistance are also observed. Looking forward, the prevention of recurrent infections is the key problem. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the most popular preparations available on the pharmaceutical market that can improve immunity and complement conventional methods of treating infections or completely replace them. These include elderberry, β-Glucans, lactoferrin, colostrum, black cumin, echinacea, propolis, Streptococcus salivarius K12, inosine pranobex, ginseng, and OM-85 bacterial lysate. We reviewed the literature from 2012 to 2024 using Pubmed and Google Scholar. The assessment of the effectiveness of preparations for immunity was based primarily on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials. The above-mentioned preparations are largely characterized by a positive impact on improving the immunity of individuals supplementing them by activating
non-specific immunity mechanisms. Their use in the prevention and treatment of some infections appears to be promising. However, this review does not allow us to recommend the analyzed therapies as standard methods of supporting immunity in respiratory infections.

Keywords:

immunity system, recurrent infections, supplements, immune-boosting preparations


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Jasiński, K., Oleksa, P., Żuraw, D., Sobczyk, M., Porzak, M., Sodolska, A., & Pawłowski, B. (2024). The effectiveness of the immune-boosting preparations in prevention and treatment of respiratory infections. Prospects in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 22(3), 186–197. https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.190

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Editorial Team
Stefana Banacha 1
02-097 Warsaw, Poland
biuletynfarmacji@wum.edu.pl
Publisher:
Medical University of Warsaw
ul. Żwirki i Wigury 61
02-091 Warszawa

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