Researchers tested whether a special supplement containing helpful bacteria could help young children get over colds faster. They gave 75 children either the bacteria supplement or a fake pill while they had a cold with a sore throat. The children who got the real supplement felt better about one day sooner than those who got the fake pill. The supplement seemed safe and didn’t cause problems. This suggests that certain types of good bacteria might help our bodies fight off cold viruses more quickly, though more research is still needed to be completely sure.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a supplement containing four types of helpful bacteria could make colds with sore throats go away faster in young children
  • Who participated: 75 children between 6 months and 5 years old who had colds with sore throats diagnosed by a doctor
  • Key finding: Children taking the bacteria supplement had fevers for about 1 day less and felt uncomfortable for about 0.7 days less compared to children taking a fake pill
  • What it means for you: This suggests that certain probiotics may help kids recover slightly faster from colds, but it’s not a cure and the improvement is modest. Talk to your doctor before giving any supplement to your child.

The Research Details

This was a randomized, double-blind trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers randomly assigned 75 children to receive either the probiotic supplement or a placebo (fake pill) that looked identical. Neither the parents nor the researchers knew which children got the real supplement until the study ended. This prevents bias from affecting the results. The children took their assigned treatment twice daily for 15 days while their parents tracked their symptoms in a diary, including fever and discomfort levels. The researchers also tested the children’s nasal swabs to identify which viruses caused their colds.

Using a double-blind design with a placebo group is important because it helps prove that any improvements come from the supplement itself, not just from parents’ expectations or natural healing. Having a doctor diagnose the infections rather than relying on parent reports makes the results more reliable. Testing for specific viruses helps researchers understand which infections the supplement might help with.

This study has several strengths: it was properly randomized, double-blinded, and included a placebo control group. The researchers confirmed diagnoses with a doctor and identified viruses through lab testing. However, the sample size of 75 children is relatively small, which means the results might not apply to all children. The study was conducted in one location, so results might differ in other populations.

What the Results Show

Children who received the probiotic supplement recovered faster than those who received the placebo. Specifically, children in the probiotic group had fevers for an average of 1.1 days less than the placebo group. They also experienced pain and discomfort for about 0.7 days less. These differences were statistically significant, meaning they’re unlikely to have happened by chance. The most common viruses causing the infections were rhinoviruses (common cold viruses), coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The benefits appeared consistent regardless of which virus caused the infection, the child’s age, or their sex.

The use of pain relievers and antihistamines was similar between both groups, suggesting the supplement didn’t change how much medication children needed. Other symptoms like cough or congestion didn’t differ significantly between groups. No serious side effects were reported in either group, indicating the supplement appears safe for young children.

Previous research suggested that certain probiotics might help with respiratory infections, but many earlier studies relied on parents’ own diagnoses without doctor confirmation. This study is stronger because doctors confirmed all diagnoses. The same probiotic formula previously showed promise in 300 adults with COVID-19, so this research extends those findings to children with various viral respiratory infections.

The study included only 75 children, which is a relatively small number. All participants had sore throats specifically, so results may not apply to children with other types of respiratory infections. The study was conducted in one location, so results might differ in other countries or populations. The improvement, while real, is modest—about one day faster recovery. Parents knew they were in a study, which might have affected how carefully they tracked symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, the probiotic supplement may help children recover slightly faster from colds with sore throats (moderate confidence). However, it’s not a replacement for standard care like rest, fluids, and fever management. Consult your pediatrician before giving any probiotic supplement to your child, especially infants under one year old.

Parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years who frequently get colds might be interested in this research. Children in daycare or preschool who catch frequent infections could potentially benefit. This is less relevant for older children or adults, though the same supplement showed promise in adults with COVID-19.

If the supplement works as shown in this study, you might expect to see improvements within the first few days of illness. Fevers might break about one day sooner, and discomfort might improve slightly faster. However, individual results will vary, and some children may not experience noticeable benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s fever duration and discomfort level (using a simple 1-10 scale) when they have a cold. Record the date symptoms started, when fever ended, and when your child returned to normal activities. Compare these metrics across different illnesses to see if a probiotic supplement makes a measurable difference.
  • If you decide to try this probiotic with your child, set a daily reminder to give it twice daily as directed. Log each dose in the app and note any side effects or changes in symptoms. Keep a symptom diary during illness to track fever patterns and discomfort levels objectively.
  • Over several months and multiple cold episodes, track whether your child’s recovery time improves with consistent probiotic use. Monitor the frequency of infections and their severity. Compare illness duration before and after starting the supplement. Share this data with your pediatrician to determine if the supplement is actually helping your child.

This research suggests that a specific probiotic formula may help children recover slightly faster from colds, but it is not a cure or replacement for medical care. Always consult with your pediatrician before giving any supplement to your child, especially infants under 6 months old. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If your child has severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of serious infection, seek immediate medical attention. Results from this single study may not apply to all children or all types of respiratory infections.