Cold, Flu or Covid-19
As we approach autumn we are entering the cold and flu season. Hence it is important to recognise the symptoms, know how to treat it and prevent speedreading the virus to others.
Cold, flu and Covid-19 will often get better on its own without seeing a GP. But flu and Covid-19 can make some people seriously ill so it is important to get vaccinated if you are advised to.
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What is the difference between Cold and Flu and covid-19
Cold, FLU and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, cold symptoms are generally milder, come on gradually and mostly affect nose and throat, whereas flu and Covid-19 symptoms are more sever,come on very quickly and can cause mild to severe respiratory infection where it affects nose, throat and lungs. The main symptom that is linked with Covid-19 and it is not present in cold and flu is shortness of breath. The symptoms are more or less the same in both adults and children, however flu in childrenbeen associated with ear ache but Covid-19 symptoms are generally milder in children and most get better in few days.
Cold Symptoms
- Raised temperature
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Coughs
- Sneezing
- Aching body
- Blocked or runny nose
- Pressure in your ears and face
- Loss of taste and smell
Covid-19
- High temperature or shivering (chills)
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Aching body
- Blocked or runny nose
- New, continuous cough, this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Loss of appetite
Flu symptoms
- High temperature or shivering (chills)
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Aching body
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling sick and being sick
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Loss of appetite
What to do if you are having the symptoms or testing positive for Covid-19
You or your child should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you don’t feel well or have high temperature. You should onlygo back to work or school once feel better and your test is negative.
Get advice from 111 if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a fever
- is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a fever
- has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature (fever)
- has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or more
- does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you're worried
- has a high temperature that does not come down with Paracetamol
- is dehydrated – for example, nappies are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying
when to call 999 or go to A&E
- if you are so breathless that you're unable to say short sentences when resting
- your breathing has got suddenly worse
- you cough up blood
- you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- you collapse or faint
- you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy
- you've stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual
Treating yourself at home
Cold Symptoms
- Rest and sleep
- Drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration
- Gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
- If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
Covid-19
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- To ease cough, best to avoid lying on your back, try to have teaspoon of honey with ginger but do not give honey to babies under 12months
- For breathlessness keep the room cool and open a window, breath slowly through you nose, sit upright in a chair, relax your shoulder but do not hunch and most importantly do not panic as this can make it worse
Flu symptoms
- Rest and sleep
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- Keep warm
A pharmacist can advise and recommend best medication to manage your symptoms so always get in touch with your pharmacist before booking a GP appointment.
Temperature and aches: can be treated with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen but be careful when taking remedies as they also can contain the same ingredients which can lead to over dose.
Block nose: can be treated with decongestant sprayand tablets. It is important to note that decongestion should not be used in children under age of 6. Nasal decongestion should not be sed for longer than 5 consecutive days as this can lead to rebound congestion.
Some medication and remedies are not suitable for babies, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Always check with your pharmacist or GP.
Get advice from 111 if:
- your cold symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks and flu symptoms after 7 days.
- your symptoms get suddenly worse.
- your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery.
- you're concerned about your child's symptoms.
- you're feeling short of breath or develop chest pain.
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition.
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you're having chemotherapy.
- you have flu and are pregnant.
- you have flu and you are 65 or over.
They can advise you what to do and arrange for you to speak to a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Ways to prevent the spread of the virus
Cold, flu and Covid-19 are caused by viruses that is attached to the lining of your nose and throatso they spread easily to others by sneezes and coughs. Withcold you are contagions from the time your symptoms appear until all your symptoms resolved. Whereas with flu you are likely to pass it to others in the first 5 days.Covid-19infection can be spread even when you are asymptomatic through breathing, speaking, cough or sneeze.
To reduce the risk of spreading:
- Get vaccinated against Covid-19 and flu
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or use hand sanitiser regularly
- Use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- Bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
Flu vaccine
Flu vaccine is safe and effective vaccine that it is offered every year on NHS that helps to reduce the risk of getting flu and any of its potentially serious complications and if you do still catch it the infection is likely to be milder and shorter in duration. Flu vaccine is particularly important this year as due to COVID-19 fewer people have developed natural immunity and if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time you are more likely to become seriously ill.
People who are eligible to have the flu vaccine free on NHS:
- are 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2023)
- have certain health conditions
respiratory conditions, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
diabetes
heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
chronic kidney disease
liver disease, such as hepatitis
neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
a learning disability
problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers
- Secondary school-aged children focusing on years 7, 8 and 9 and any remaining vaccine will be offered to years 10 and 11, subject to vaccine availability.
For more information regarding flu vaccine and booking get in touch with your community pharmacy.
Covid-19 vaccine
for more information regarding Covid-19 vaccine in adult and children please visit
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/