By Steve Connor They announced yesterday that they had been able to pass on the virus to a special strain of genetically modified mice - the first time a non-primate has caught a cold. Until now, only humans and chimpanzees were known to be susceptible to the virus that results in the common cold.

Australia's National Prescribing Service has announced plans to launch its latest annual campaign warning about the effects that taking antibiotics when they are not needed, such as for the common cold, can have in terms of drug resistance.

Key words: Fusafungine - Local antibiotic treatment - Upper respiratory tract infection SUMMARY Despite guidelines and educational programs, systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are often inappropriately prescribed in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), although they are most often of viral origin, generally benign, and self-limiting with spontaneous recovery in more than 80% of cases.