More than half the population takes antibiotics for colds and the flu.

-Propolis shows that it helps to raise the defenses and can enhance vaccines

-Conchita singer and actor Antonio Velázquez, Propolis for the voice of the year awards

Madrid, January of 2013- more than half of the population says have used antibiotics for colds or the flu within the last year, while both infections are caused by viruses and not bacteria, according to a survey of the center of research INFIT (phytotherapy). “The antibiotics are contraindicated for flus and colds unless there is associated with bacterial infection, that rare.” It is preferable to resorting to a natural product with antiviral effect as propolis, we can find at any pharmacy,”explains Dr. Primitivo Ortega, head of the ENT service of the Hospital de Móstoles and former President of the Spanish society of Otolaryngology (SEORL). 12% Of the population is automedica with antibiotics, according to a previous survey INFIT among 2,000 people.

Three-quarters of the population says suffer throat in winter conditions and half ensures that you ran out voice sometime during the past year. Dr. Ortega should exercise caution before flus and colds in these days, in which the risk is higher due to the cold and wet, and resort to propolis proactively to protect the throat.

The former President of the SEORL foresees that colds and flu begin with greater virulence in the coming days, coinciding with the conditions of low temperatures and higher humidity. A recent study of Balearic researchers published in The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal magazine reveals that “annual patterns of hospitalization for respiratory virus syncytial (RSV) – of the cold – were strongly associated with meteorological conditions.” The average temperature and atmospheric pressure were the main factors related to the increase and the decline of the RSV activity”. Another study of authors of a Burgos published in Le Infezione Health Center in medicine found that most respiratory infections were recorded at the beginning and the end of the year, “coinciding with the months more wet and cold”. The greater accumulation of cases occurred when the average temperature is 5 ° C and the humidity is 83%.

“The propolis is a substance made by bees from products of vegetable origin to protect their hives and which acts as antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, so it is intended to prevent and treat infectious diseases related to respiratory, explains Teresa Ortega, Professor of Pharmacology of the University Complutense and INFIT Vice-President. However, to be safe and effective “must be purchased at a pharmacy, where controls its conservation and properties, which are reflected in a prospectus. The use of pharmaceutical preparations, capsules or syrup, ensures not only their quality but it allows a correct administration ”, said.

Antonio Velázquez, Primitivo Ortega and Conchita.

Vaccine in December last year published a review of studies that concluded that the propolis could be used in combination with vaccinations against bacteria to stimulate the immune system. For authors, “the propolis is a natural product safe immunostimulant.”

Propolis is also used to take care of the vocal cords, since it protects this part of throat infections and damage caused by the cold. is a product very used by professionals who use the voice as a working tool, as teachers, speakers or singers ”, according to Marta Pinillos logofoniatra.

conchita and Antonio Velázquez

that’s why INFIT delivers the second edition of the Propolis awards to the voice of the year, which on this occasion has borne by Conchita singer and actor Antonio Velázquez, elected by the qualities of his voice. Last year the awards relapsed in singers Pastora Soler and David de María.