How to fight Cold and flu at home?

Common Cold

• Cause: Primarily caused by rhinoviruses, but over 200 different viruses can be responsible.
• Symptoms: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, mild body aches, low-grade fever.
• Transmission: Spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes; also via contact with contaminated surfaces.
• Duration: Symptoms typically last 7-10 days.
•  Treatment: No cure; treatments focus on symptom relief (decongestants, pain relievers, rest, hydration).

 Influenza (Flu)

•  Cause: Caused by influenza viruses (types A, B, and C); type A is most severe.
• Symptoms: High fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).
•  Transmission: Similar to cold, spread through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
• Duration: Symptoms can last 1-2 weeks; severe cases may lead to complications like pneumonia.
• Treatment: Antiviral medications (e.g., oseltamivir) may be prescribed, especially if taken within the first 48 hours of symptom onset; supportive care includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for symptom relief.
•  Prevention: Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu; good hygiene practices also help.

 Similarities and Differences

• Similarities: Both are respiratory illnesses with overlapping symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and congestion.
• Differences: Flu tends to be more severe with sudden onset, higher fever, and more intense body aches compared to the common cold.

 Complications

• Cold: Rarely leads to serious complications but can cause sinus infections or exacerbate asthma.
•  Flu: Can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Prevention Tips

• Good Hygiene: Regular hand washing, using hand sanitizers, avoiding touching face, and covering mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
•  Vaccination: Annual flu shots are recommended, especially for high-risk groups (elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions).
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to strengthen the immune system.

 Medical Attention

• To treat flu, oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir are usually prescribed for five days, while one dose of intravenous peramivir or one dose of oral Baloxavir are usually prescribed. Oseltamivir treatment is given to hospitalised patients, and some patients might be treated for more than five days.

 When to Seek Medical Attention

•  Cold: If symptoms persist beyond 10 days, or if severe symptoms develop.
•  Flu: If experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent high fever, severe headache, or confusion.