IT’S HERE again that time of year when people spend much of their time coughing, sneezing, and blowing their noses.
Amid scanning drugstore shelves and reading online forums, it can be difficult to figure out how best to treat ourselves.
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Two pharmacists have warned about some of the common mistakes people make when treating winter bugs and how to make yourself feel more human.
“People often take vitamin C to prevent colds but there is little evidence to back this up,” Sadik Al-Hassan, a pharmacist based in Bathtub explained.
Some studies suggest the vitamin could help cure a cold fasterbut the evidence is still inconclusive.
“Another popular cold and flu among the patients is echinacea,” explained the pharmacist.
Echinacea is a plant that experts once thought boosted the immune system to fight infections more effectively.
But recent studies have found that the dietary supplement does little to reduce the time you feel sickSadik told The Sun.
“Although it has been found to slightly reduce the chances of catching a cold,” he explained.
Mike Hewitson, a pharmacist based in Somersaultwarned people against using leftovers antibiotics could find at home.
“Flu [and the common cold] they are viral infections and cannot be treated with antibiotics,” he said.
“There is no direct treatment to treat the two viral infections, it’s all about managing the symptoms,” he added.
Mike suggested that people keep it simple. analgesics I like it paracetamol which will help control fever as well as drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
“I usually advise people to use off-brand products that are often just as effective as brand-name products, but at a fraction of the price,” he said.
“With the cost of living crisis, I think this is something people should be aware of,” he added.
Both medical experts stressed that prevention is always better than cure in case of cold and flu.
“It’s not too late to get an NHS flu shot if you qualify, and many pharmacies will also be able to provide you with a private flu vaccination service,” Mike said.
“The more people we can vaccinate, the lower the flu pressure will be on hospitals and GP practices,” he also explained.
How to tell the difference between the flu and a common cold
The flu can be much more serious than the common cold, so it’s important to know the difference between the two.
Cold
If you have a cold, chances are you’ll catch it. ear infections and sinus infections.
However, the NHS says that in general you may experience:
- runny nose
- sneezing
- body pain
- cough
- headache
Flu
The symptoms of the flu are very similar to those of a very bad cold.
the National Health Service says that this includes suffering high temperature 38C or more.
A high temperature had previously been a symptom of COVID-19but experts said this is less likely with the omicron Pressure.
You will also experience body aches and a dry cough.
You may also have difficulty asleeploss of appetite and feeling or being sick.
You are less likely to experience them with a cold or with the Omicron strain.
So when it comes to spotting the difference between flu and covid, it should be straightforward.
CDC experts said: “People with influenza virus infection are potentially contagious for about a day before they show symptoms. However, the flu is thought to be spread primarily by people who have symptoms of influenza virus infection. the flu virus.”
“Older children and adults with the flu appear to be most contagious during the first 3-4 days of their illness, but some people may remain contagious for slightly longer periods.
“Babies and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.”
But there’s a finer line between a cold and Omicron, so keep an eye out for any secondary infections, such as ear infections.
It’s also important to note that you could have coronavirus, but have a asymptomatic infection – which means you may not know you have the bug.
