Health Winter bugs


Cold vs flu


Cold and flu viruses can cause similar symptoms. Here’s how to tell which one is affecting you:


Onset Flu symptoms tend to come on much more quickly than those of a cold.


Symptoms If you have a cold you’ll sneeze and have a runny or blocked nose – flu can but doesn’t always cause these symptoms. On the other hand flu includes muscular aches and a sudden high temperature of 38 - 40C. With flu you may also feel completely wiped out and unable to get out of bed, and may also experience nausea. A really bad cold, however, can also give you muscular aches and a


fever – so it’s not always that easy to tell the difference by looking at your symptoms.


Duration Cold and flu symptoms typically last about a week. However, with flu, you may feel tired for longer.


If your symptoms don’t improve after a week, see your GP. You


should also get medical advice if you’re pregnant, if you’re aged 65 or older, if you have a long-term medical condition or if you have a weakened immune system.


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Flu Flu, like colds, is spread by virus droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. It’s also very infectious, which means it spreads easily from one person to another. However you shouldn’t usually have to see your


GP if you have flu, and there’s a good chance you’ll feel better in about a week.


Symptoms Flu has some similar symptoms to the common cold, but it has other symptoms too. Here are the main ones:


• Sudden high temperature • Muscular aches • Tiredness • Sore throat • Headache • Nausea and vomiting • Diarrhoea or stomach pain • Sleep difficulties • Loss of appetite


Unlike a cold, if you have flu your symptoms will start quickly.


Treatment Your pharmacist can recommend specially formulated flu remedies that contain different active ingredients to soothe your symptoms. In the meantime, try to rest and sleep as much


as you can, and keep warm. You should also drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration (your urine should be light yellow or clear).


10 All About health


Prevention The most effective way of preventing flu is to have an annual flu jab. Some people are entitled to a free vaccination each year on the NHS if they’re at risk of developing complications after having flu. This year, these include:


• People aged 65 or older • Pregnant women • People with long-term medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes


• People who live in a residential care home or facility • People who are the main carers for elderly or disabled individuals • People who work in the health and social care industry who have direct contact with patients


Meanwhile if you’re not eligible for a free vaccine, many pharmacies offer flu jabs privately. Find your nearest participating pharmacy at www.careway.co.uk/find-a-pharmacy.


Stop viruses spreading


If you already have a cold or flu, here’s how you can help stop your infection spreading to others around you:


Catch it: Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.


Bin it: Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible as germs can live for several hours on tissues.


Kill it: Clean your hands as soon as you can to avoid transferring germs to every surface you touch.


Duration: Cold and flu symptoms typically last about a week. However, with flu, you may feel tired for longer.


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