All Things Flu
COLD OR FLU?
It’s common for people to confuse the two, due to similar symptoms. To determine whether you’re in the grip of a cold or flu virus, ask yourself these three questions:
1. How long did it take to come on?
Flu symptoms come on quickly. Within a matter of hours you are likely to be man-down. A cold tends to develop more gradually over a period of several days.
2. How serious are my symptoms?
A cold might leave you feeling a little worse for wear, but it probably won’t disrupt your daily life too much. Symptoms include a sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing. Symptoms such as headaches and light body aches are less common. The flu is more serious, with symptoms such as a fever, headache, fatigue, weakness, coughing and body aches. You may also experience a stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing, though these symptoms are less common to the flu. A hallmark of the flu is extreme exhaustion, particularly in the early days of infection. Bed rest is necessary for recovery.
3. How long do the symptoms last?
Flu symptoms typically last for three to five days, while a cold usually runs its course in seven to 10 days. How to fight back? Feeling the first signs of illness? Antibiotics won’t work to treat a cold or flu virus, but many of the symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. Zinc, vitamin C and Echinacea are popular natural treatment options for colds and flu, while a range of antihistamines, decongestants and painkillers like Disprin, which helps relieve the pain and fever of colds and flu, are available without prescription. Stock up on these so that you’re prepared to treat symptoms as soon as they occur.
Top prevention tip
Simply washing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways of limiting the spread of germs and bacteria.
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These commonly cited reasons for not getting a flu shot are not true.
Myth 1: The flu vaccine gives you the flu
According to Clicks Regional Clinic Manager, Carol Gray flu vaccine contains inactive strains of the flu and that there is no risk of infection from a vaccine.
“Your immune system recognises these vaccines as an abnormality and attacks them. The body then develops antibodies that will help protect you against future exposure to those specific strains,” says Gray.
Myth 2: Healthy people don’t need to get vaccinated
Everybody should be vaccinated annually against flu as a preventative measure, says Gray. Remember that the virus is highly contagious and cannot be treated with antibiotics, making it difficult to shake.
“Flu can be dangerous for absolutely anyone – even the healthiest person can be affected,” she explains.
Myth 3: The flu is harmless, so there’s no real point getting vaccinated
“It’s hard to predict how strong one’s immunity will be over the flu season, as stress and other medical conditions affect immunity differently throughout the year,” says Gray.
She also warns that flu can lead to serious secondary infections, such as pneumonia, which in some cases can, in fact, be fatal.
Myth 4: The flu vaccine isn’t really effective
While the flu vaccine does not offer 100 percent protection against all strains of flu, it does allow the body to develop a level of protection against the three most deadly strains identified by the World Health Organisation every year.
Myth 5: The flu vaccine is dangerous
“The flu vaccine is thoroughly trialled and tested before it is released,” says Gray. If you have any concerns, consult with your Clicks pharmacist or Clicks Clinic nursing practitioner first.
How Clicks Clinics can help you during the flu season
Take note that the following people cannot get vaccinated:
• Babies younger than 6 months.
• Anyone allergic to eggs.
• Anyone who already has a fever.
• Anyone who has shown a past reaction to a vaccine.
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