Are you feeling not so well? Got a runy nose? Headache? Lack of energy? It’s a safe bet you either have a form of a flu or a cold, so how do you know what you have? Let’s find out..

The flu and colds every year afflict a large proportion of the population. For some groups, such as the elderly and those with lower body resistance, influenza is a serious threat to life.

The flu and colds share many symptoms. The cold is generally milder, while flu is much more serious.

The cold begins with a feeling of fatigue, with sneezing, coughing and runny nose. There may be no fever or fever that may be low in case of flu. It may also be accompanied by muscle aches, sore throat, running eyes and headaches.

Unlike colds, flu starts suddenly and strikes hard. The patient feels weak, tired, has a fever, dry cough, sore eyes, severe headaches and pain in the neck with sore throat. Also the time needed to recover the patient is much higher than in the case of colds.

It is important to emphasize that the flu and colds are caused by viruses. There are more than 100 unusual viruses that can cause colds while for flu the number is much less.

For these reasons, there are vaccines for influenza but not for the common cold. As it is the viruses that cause these diseases, antibiotics are not effective against them.

What should I do to feel better? 

There is currently no explanatory treatment for colds or flu. Antibiotics have no effect against viruses. What we can do is a supportive therapy that aims to make you feel better by the body to cope with its own defense mechanisms to generate antibodies and get rid of the virus.

There are a few ways:

  • If you have a fever you should stay home and relax
  • If you smoke, stop smoking immediately. If not avoid passive smoke from people around you, because it worsens the symptoms
  • Drink plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juices and light soups. The fluids help in the realization of phlegm and secretions. It is also valuable when there is fever, because in this case there are fluid losses with the risk of dehydration
  • Avoid drinking alcohol
  • If you have a sore throat, throat you can gargle with warm water containing salt, which can ease the pain. Also special sprays or tablets that dissolve in your mouth can help
  • Use drops of normal serum on your nose to be liquidated secretions and to humidify the delicate skin of the nose

But beware, because in some cases it is best to call your doctor:

  1. If you have a cold that lasts more than 10 days
  2. If you have earache or running fluid from the ear
  3. If you have severe pain on the face or forehead
  4. If you have high fever (higher than 39 degrees Celsius)
  5. Shortness of breath
  6. In cases where there is hoarseness, a sore throat or cough that does not leave
  7. If you have shortness of breath with wheezing

Need medicine for colds or the flu?

Some medications can alleviate symptoms. Before taking any medications you should consult your doctor and even more so in the case of children.

There are several drugs which are given without prescription. You should know what they contain.

Most drugs used contain substances of the following categories:

Analgesics: These are painkillers, some of which have antipyretic properties. Some of them are paracetamol, the naproxen, the ibuprofen, the ketoprofen, the mefenamic acid and aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended in children and adolescents.

Expectorant: These medicines help in the realization of phlegm and secretions of the respiratory system causing easy expulsion by coughing. Such medications are bromhexine and guaifenesin

Decongestants: These substances reduce the congestion that can exist in several passages, particularly those in the nose. Such medications are ephedrine, a phenylephrine, the phenylpropanolamine, and pseydoephedrine.

There are also some medications for which you need a prescription from the doctor.

It can be either pills or inhaled formulations. It should not be taken without medical supervision because in some patients such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma can cause problems.

There are also some drugs with activity against viruses, which can be used to prevent and treat influenza. These drugs can present complications and therefore should be administered under supervision by your doctor.

These drugs are:

  • Rimantadine (Flumadine ®)
  • Amantadine (Symmetrel ®)
  • Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®)
  • Zanamivir (Relenza ®)

What is prevention and who should do the vaccines?

The viruses that cause colds and flu are spread by contact with hands and droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing.

Washing hands with warm water and soap is as effective prevention also avoid touching your eyes or nose with your hands.

Certain groups should be vaccinated annually with influenza vaccine. These individuals are more vulnerable and more at risk than others to experience complications such as pneumonia.

Usually the best time for vaccination is October or November. Surely you should ask your doctor whether you should be vaccinated.

People who are allergic to eggs should not be vaccinated with the vaccine against influenza.

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