Dr Sarah Jarvis
My Weekly’s favourite gp from tv and radio writes for you
Having spent half the summer feeling it was autumn, it’s now time to get ready for winter – and that includes taking steps to avoid colds and flu. Nobody can avoid them completely – the average adult gets 2-4 a year – but there’s lots you can do to limit their impact.
There are over 200 viruses that can cause colds, and it’s actually not uncommon to be infected with more than one at the same time. The average time it takes to get over a cold is 7-10 days – but if they overlap, it may be longer. Symptoms include blocked or runny nose, sneezing and mild fever (below 39°C), with a cough from the 4th or 5th day, as sneezing improves. Unlike influenza, you can usually struggle on with a cold. Although flu is a virus (the influenza virus), it’s a very different illness from the average cold. For a start, although you get similar symptoms, they’re much more severe. You’ll usually feel achy all over, including in muscles you didn’t know you had. A fever above 39°C or even 40°C is standard, and you’ll almost certainly be too weak to get out of bed for several days. You’re likely to have a dry racking cough, headaches and fluctuating between boiling hot and freezing cold. At certain times of year GPs are given the go-ahead to prescribe Tamiflu, which may shorten your symptoms by a couple of days, but it’s no miracle cure. You’ll probably feel weak for some weeks after you’re over the worst of it. As colds and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics
COUGHS AND SNEEZES REALLY DO SPREAD DISEASES – USE A PAPER HANKY TO COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE AND BIN IT ONCE USED.
will be completely useless. Sometimes, however, you can get a bacterial infection superimposed. If you get shortness of breath, coughing up blood or a sharp, stabbing pain in your chest when you breathe (rather than just when you cough), see your doctor. Likewise, if you have longterm conditions like the lung condition COPD.
The flu injection is highly effective at preventing serious complications, and cuts the risk of you getting flu in the first place. The new season’s vaccines are available from the first week in October, and you need one every year because there are several different strains of flu and last year’s vaccinemay not protect you. If you’re over 65, a child, a carer or have a chronic condition, do take up your invitation.
Keeping your fluid intake up and taking regular painkillers for aching or sore throat are both important. Your pharmacist has lots of options for relieving your symptoms – they’ll be able to advise on whether a dry or chesty cough mixture is best, vapour rubs to clear a blocked nose or lozenges to soothe your throat. They may also suggest decongestants which last a few hours but shouldn’t be taken for too long as they may make matters worse when you stop them. There is good evidence that a healthy diet and regular exercise can protect you. Zinc (your pharmacist can advise on supplements or lozenges) may speed recovery if you start it within 24 hours of getting symptoms and a small chance that taking it regularly over winter might mean fewer colds in the first place.
Scientists who’ve looked at studies of Vitamin C and Echinacea say there is “limited” evidence they might improve symptoms. Garlic and cloves are popular, but while they may taste good, there’s no evidence they help. Next week: When Sleep Is a Problem
LOTS OF COLD VIRUSES CAN LIVE ON ONCE SNEEZED OUT ON DOOR HANDLES AND SURFACES. REGULAR HANDWASHING WILL HELP.