Colds and Flu

Both are upper respiratory infection affecting the nose, throat and chest caused by a virus infection.

How to differentiate between a cold and a flu

A cold infection is gradual in its onset, with the symptoms starting one to four days after catching the virus. It usually starts with a dry or sore throat, followed by other symptoms such as runny/blocked nose, sneezing, cough and croaky voice. A flu infection is more severe than a cold infection, characterized by a sudden onset and what most people described as ‘knocking them off their feet’. The common symptoms are high fever, headache, very sore achy muscles, lost of appetite and extreme tiredness. While a cold infection last for four to ten days, a flu infection can last up to three weeks.

How are Colds and Flu Transmitted?

Every time some one with a cold or flu infection talks, cough or sneezes, they inadvertently spread the viruses by saliva droplets through the air. Cold and flu viruses can survive in the air for up to three hours. The viruses then enter our body through our nose and mouth. We can catch a cold or flu by simply touching a surface like telephone or door knob that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has the infection. After touching the contaminated surfaces, the viruses can pass from our hand to mouth and nose. There is a higher risk of contamination in highly populated areas and confined spaces.

Is There a Cure?

Unfortunately no. The cold and flu viruses are constantly changing therefore it is extremely difficult to develop a cure.

What about antibiotics?

Colds and flu are caused by viruses so they can not be cured by antibiotics. Our body’s immune system will kill the viruses in a few days. However, we will need antibiotics in the event of a bacterial infection on top of colds and flu. Common signs of secondary bacterial infection are:

• sinus infection characterised by pain and pressure in the sinuses (where the eye brows and cheek bones are) and coloured mucous discharge from the nose.
• coughing up coloured phlegm.
• pneumonia. Signs and symptoms are fever, persistent cough with or with out coloured phlegm or blood and breathing difficulty.
• strep throat characterised by sore, ‘fiery’ red throat that is painful to swallow with white patches on the tonsils and swollen glands in the neck.
• middle ear infection – common in children.

Treatment Options

• Prevention – Flu vaccination consisting of three strains of highly purified dead flu viruses. Free flu vaccination is available to people over the age of sixty five or have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or heart conditions. The viruses are grown in chicken eggs and then killed and made noninfectious. Therefore you can not have the flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs.

The vaccine's most common side effect is soreness at the injection site. Some people may also experience fever, tiredness, sore muscles, and other symptoms resembling the flu that can last for one to two days. The flu vaccine can not cause flu because it contains only dead viruses. A paralysis disease known as Guillain-Barre syndrome in very rare situations may also result in very rare circumstances.

• Buccaline – an oral vaccine made up of various strains of bacteria that are commonly associated with causing secondary bacterial infection. Some people may experience mild cold like symptoms for 1 – 2 days after taking Buccaline.
• Antiviral prescription only medicines such as Tamiflu and Relenza, if taken within 48 hours of a flu infection will reduce the severity and shorten the duration of infection.

Self Help

• Wash your hands before eating and touching your face.
• Plenty of rest.
• Drink plenty of fluid (6 – 8 glasses a day). This will help to thin the mucous.
• Steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil will help to clear the nose.
• Regular Nurofen or Panadol will help to reduce fever and ease aches and pain.
• Dry cough medicines such as Durotuss Forte to suppress the urge to cough.
• Chesty cough medicines such as Durotuss Chesty to break up and clear the phlegm off the lungs.
• Otrivin Nose Spray to stop runny/blocked nose. It also helps to clear sinses. It should not be used for more than five days in a row.
• Difflam lozenges and Difflam Spray to ease the sore throat.
• Good Health Echimax Lozenges or Ester C and Echinacea Chewable tablets to ease the sore throat and boost immune system.
• Good Health Viralex with it’s antiviral and antibacterial properties to fight the infection.
• Solgar VM 2000 Multi-Nutrient tablets or Thompson’s Immunofort to boost the energy level and the immune system. They are also highly recommended to take on a regular basis as preventatives.
• Bio-Organics Mega Potency Echinacea 10,000 Complex capsules for acute cold or flu infection.

Consult a doctor if:

• Develop any of the secondary bacterial infection mentioned above.
• Convulsion due to high fever. A complication in young children.
• Beware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis:
  · Flu like symptoms
  · Fever
  · vomitting
  · Severe headache
  · Stiff neck
  · Kernig’s sign – stiffness of the hamstrings causing an inability to straighten the leg when the hip is flexed to 90 degress
  · Drowsy, floppy, difficult to wake
  · Irritability followed by delirium or coma
  · Bruises like skin rash

Disclaimer: This information is intended for New Zealand residents and is of a general nature only. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided and at all times should obtain specific advice from a health professional. To the extent permitted by law, ibuy pharmacy Limited, their employees and agents accept no liability (even if negligent) for any injury, loss or damage caused by reliance on any part of this information. All rights reserved. In particular no alterations, additions or adaptions of this publication are permitted without written consent of ibuy pharmacy Limited.