Psience Quest

The BBC reports that researchers at Imperial College, London, may have discovered a cure for the common cold:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44107481

It hasn't been tested on humans yet, but lab trials using cell preparations suggest that if taken early enough, it should stop any cold virus in its tracks. That's what the BBC says, anyway.

Not sure that would be a good thing. I don't know much about the immune system but I have this idea that some diseases help give us immunity to other, more serious, ones. I read something the other day about the contention that we are depriving our children the chance to build up immunity by over-sanitising everything. My parents told me that I would sit in the garden and eat soil as a baby. I was practically disease free until my middle age (when smoking, drinking and general unfitness finally took their toll).

To catch it in time, wouldn't you have to know about it during or before incubation - ie. before you have any symptoms?  I find it hard to believe that it is practical but I'm certainly not rushing off to a doctor every time I catch a cold!  A few days with hot drinks and plenty of sleep is cure enough for me.