What are symptoms of cold and flu?
Common cold and flu symptoms may include:
- A blocked or running nose
- A sore throat
- Coughs
- Feeling tired and unwell
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of taste and smell
- A feeling of pressure in your ears and face
- Earache
You may also experience a high temperature and aches in your muscles. These symptoms normally suggest that your cold is more severe and may be the flu.
What is the difference between a cold and flu?
Cold and flu generally have very similar symptoms, however, flu symptoms are often much more severe. While symptoms of a cold tend to appear gradually over a few days, flu symptoms usually develop within a few hours.
Often, you’ll be able to continue as normal if you have a cold with little disruption to your day-to-day life for the most part. Flu is much more likely to leave you feeling ill and impact your daily routine, for example meaning you need to stay home and not work.
What is the best treatment for a cold?
With a vast array of brands and products available, including cough medicines, cold & flu capsules, tablets, sprays, throat lozenges and more, finding the best cold medicine can be a difficult task. Our pharmacists will be able to advise you on which medicine(s) you should take.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help to reduce your temperature and ease any aches and pains, but these should not be taken alongside additional cold treatments to prevent you from taking too much.
As with most illnesses, you should:
- Drink plenty of water and fluids
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat a balanced diet
- Avoid smoking
Some people also find it helpful to:
- Drink hot lemon and honey
- Gargle salt water
- Breathe in steam
How long should a cold last?
Most colds last 7-10 days and should go away within a couple of weeks, although symptoms can last longer in young children.
You may notice some symptoms - such as increased yellow/green mucus from the nose - starting to feel stronger, even if you’re starting to feel better on the whole. This is often a sign that your body is flushing out the infection.
How to protect yourself in the winter?
In the colder months, it's common to encounter viruses that can leave you feeling under the weather. Prioritising your well-being and health during winter is crucial.
It is important to keep yourself warm and wrapped up during winter. Wearing thicker clothing in winter helps prevent colds by helping your body retain heat. When temperatures drop, our bodies work to maintain a constant internal temperature through various mechanisms, including shivering to generate heat and constriction of blood vessels to conserve warmth.
Thick clothing acts as a barrier against the cold, trapping heat close to the body and preventing heat loss. By staying warm, our immune systems can function better, as cold temperatures can weaken our body's defences against viruses and bacteria. Keeping your immune system functioning well can help protect you against colds, flus and other viruses.
How to keep my immune system healthy during the winter?
Keeping your immune system healthy during the winter could prevent colds and flues. To help improve your immune system, consuming a well-rounded diet rich in fruits and vegetables can aid in supporting overall health and well-being. You can further support your health by taking vitamins and supplements. Additionally, ensuring you have a good sleep schedule, engaging in regular exercise, and practising proper hand hygiene can also help.
