Colds and Flu All You Need To Know

    Colds and Flu – All you need to know

    All You Need To Know

    COLDS AND FLU

    ARE BOTH CAUSED BY A

    VIRUS THAT INFECTS

    OUR RESPIRATORY TRACT

    (OUR NOSE, THROAT AND LUNGS)1,2

    They share a lot of the same symptoms, but they’re not the same – as anyone who has had the flu will tell you.3 Flu symptoms can be quite severe and, unlike the cold, it can leave you feeling unwell that you can't get on with things as normal.1 You’re probably familiar with the common cold, but did you know there are 200 different cold viruses that can cause your symptoms? On average, adults will catch two to five colds a year, while children can get up to 10.4

    Read on for all the cold and flu
    information you need -
    causes, symptoms and treatment.

    WHAT CAUSES
    COLDS AND FLU?

    Colds and flu viruses are either inhaled from the air, when someone sneezes or coughs, or passed on by contact.5 If you have had hand contact with someone who is infected, or if you touch a surface they’ve come into contact with, you may transfer the germs from your hand to your nose, mouth or eyes.1,5

    COLDS AND FLU:
    SECRETS TO NOT GETTING SICK

    Colds and flu may be common, but if you take care of yourself, and others around you, you can minimise the risks of getting sick.

    Be careful when you come into contact with someone who is unwell; make sure you wash your hands often with warm water and soap, and especially before eating. Avoid sharing towels or household items     (like cups) with people who are infected. Keep the home clean.6 Wipe down door handles and kitchen areas, they’re particularly highly populated areas of the home.5

    Stay fit and healthy.1 Research shows if you exercise regularly you're less likely to get a cold.7 A study of over 1,000 people found that staying active almost halved their chances of having a cold, and even if they did catch one, their symptoms were less severe.7 Experts reported to the British Journal of Sports Medicine that this is because exercise may temporarily boost the immune system to fight off germs.7

    WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
    COLDS AND FLU?

    Colds and flu share many of the same symptoms.3 But ask someone who’s had flu and they’ll tell you there’s a difference! Flu symptoms feel more severe.1 You’ll likely have the same tiredness, aches and pains but with flu it feels worse and comes with a fever.3 Also, flu tends to come on much faster than a cold.1 That’s why you may hear people say they’ve been “struck down by flu.”

    WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?

    COLDS

    The first tell-tale symptoms can be a runny nose, sneezing, a scratchy dry sore throat as the virus hits the back of the nose first, and your immune system starts to kick in.4 Symptoms are usually at their worst around two to three days after you've been infected.4

    As well as feeling tired and achy, you can have a host of other symptoms with a cold, including a blocked nose and pressure in your ears and face.1 You could lose your sense of taste and smell and have a headache. Sometimes you can have a cough and raised temperature.1,3

    You're infectous to others for as long as you have symptoms, which is usually for about a week.1

    FLU

    Flu symptoms come on faster than those of a cold.1 You will quickly feel achy, feverish, sweaty and shivery.2,3 It's also common to have a headache and feel weak and too tired to get out of bed.2 After a few days you might start coughing.2 You can feel poorly for about a week but don't be surprised if you still feel 'drained' or 'wiped out' for a few weeks more.2,6

    WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK

    COLDS

    If you’re wondering how long your cold will last, you should be symptom free withinabout a week.1 But if you’re one of the unlucky ones, your cold might linger for longer.4

    After around two weeks, you’ll start to produce antibodies that will protect and prevent you from catching that particular virus again.8 That’s the good news.

    The bad news? With over 200 strains of cold virus in existence, you can catch a virus you haven’t yet had4

    FLU

    If you’ve got flu, you should feel better in a week, but will feel tired for a few weeks more.2,6

    You’ll start to develop a resistance by viral antibodies to stop you getting this exact flu virus again. But beware, they can’t protect you from getting another type of flu again as the flu strains that are around can change every year.9

    HOW TO
    TAKE CARE OF COLDS AND FLU?

    The first thing to know about managing cold and flu symptoms is that antibiotics don't work.1,2 These act on bacteria, not the viruses that cause colds and flu.1



    Flu is more severe than a cold, but many of the symptoms are the same.1,3 If you're generally healthy and under the age of 65, you don't need to see your doctor.1 Some people are at more risk of developing complications.2,9

    If you are one of the following, you should ask your doctor about getting a flu vaccine every year to help protect you:9

    Simple things you can do to care of yourself include:1,2,6

    you 65 years and over

    getting lots of rest

    you’re pregnant

    keeping warm

    you have another long-term health problem or live in a nursing home

    drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

    trying remedies containing paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease your aches and pains and help reduce a fever

    WHAT IS
    GOOD FOR COLDS AND FLU?

    There are plenty of tried and trusted Lemsip products that can help ease cold and flu symptoms. You can pick them up from your local pharmacy or supermarket. They have different strength active ingredients and different formulations, designed to help with each of your symptoms.

    You can choose from hot drinks sachets, such as Lemsip Cold & Flu Hot Lemon 500mg Powder for Oral Solution or Lemsip Max Cold and Flu Hot Lemon 1000mg Powder for Oral Solution, or capsules that are handy for taking on-the-go (swallowed with water), such as Lemsip Cough and Cold Capsules with Caffeine.

    Some Lemsip products, such as Lemsip Max Sinus & Flue Hot Lemon Powder for Oral Solution, contain pharmacy strength ingredients, so are not available for you to pick up directly off the shelf.
    Talk to your pharmacist about these, or if you're not sure what to take.

    WHEN TO
    SEE A DOCTOR?

    Most people get over their cold or flu easily but if you have any of the following you should see your doctor for advice:1

    1. Your symptoms are getting worse or you don't feel any better after three weeks 
    2. You have chest pains
    3. You find it hard to breathe
    4. You have a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
    5. You also have a long-term health problem, such as diabetes or a heart problem
    6. You have a weak immune system, for example if you are having cancer treatment.

    RB-M-02075

    REFERENCES

    1. Health Services Executive. Common cold. Accessed August 2020. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/common-cold.html.
    2. Health Services Executive. Flu – symptoms and diagnosis. Accessed August 2020. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/flu-symptoms-and-diagnosis.html.
    3. Health Services Executive. Symptoms of coronavirus. Accessed August 2020. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/symptoms.html.
    4. Eccles R. Lancet Infect Dis, 2005;5:718-725
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common colds – protect yourself and others. Accessed August 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/.
    2. Health Services Executive. Flu - treatment. Accessed August 2020. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/flu-treatment.html.
    3. Nieman DC, et al. Br J Sports Med, 2010;45(12).
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