Busting the bugs
JAMES MOORE gets advice on how we can avoid the winter lurgies and work out which one we’ve got
WE are facing a triple winter whammy of soaring coronavirus cases, a new ultra-contagious “supercold” and a potentially bumper flu season – but how do you know which you are suffering from and how you should treat it?
Here TV GP, Dr Amir Khan, answers the common questions.
How do I know if it’s Covid, the flu or a cold?
The main symptoms for Covid-19 are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour – or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours – and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
You don’t tend to get a high temperature with a common cold. And you don’t tend to lose your sense of smell with a cold or with flu.
If you are unsure, get a PCR test to check if you have Covid-19 as soon as possible. Self-isolate until you get your result – only leave home for a test.
What else should I know about coughs?
If you’ve had a persistent cough for three weeks or more and it isn’t Covid-19, it might also be a sign of cancer. Catching it early can give you much better treatment options. The NHS has relaunched the Help Us, Help You campaign to urge anyone experiencing this to contact their GP. Or if you’ve noticed a friend or family member has had a persistent cough for over three weeks, then encourage them to do the same.
What are the main symptoms of flu versus a cold?
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include a sudden high temperature of 38°C or above, an aching body, feeling tired or exhausted, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain, and feeling or being sick.
Cold symptoms tend to come on gradually and can include a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, coughs, sneezing, a raised temperature, pressure in your ears and face and a weakened sense of taste and smell.
What are the best ways to avoid getting the flu and colds this winter?
The best form of protection from flu is to get vaccinated – this is free to those who are eligible. To reduce the risk of spreading flu and cold, I’d recommend washing your hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, and bin used tissues as quickly as possible.
The best ways to avoid catching a cold are washing your hands with warm water and soap, not sharing towels or household items, such as cups, with someone who has a cold, not touching your eyes or nose in case you have come into contact with the virus, and staying fit and healthy.
Good ventilation and opening winlung dows where possible are also key as it will blow viral particles from the air that have built up inside your home, reducing the risk of you breathing them in.
What’s the best treatment for flu and colds?
To help you get better from the flu and/or a cold more quickly you should rest and sleep, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children).