Cold and flu remedies

Cold and flu season is upon us – so it’s a good time for a talk on how to avoid them and what to do if you fail.

Every year, millions of people experience cold and flu symptoms – coughs, runny noses, sore throats, muscle aches and fever – that usually go away within a week to ten days.

There is no cure for the common cold.

But

Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold itself.

The logical question is – How effective are they?

What is the difference between the common cold, flu and Covid-19?

The flu, the common cold and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory diseases, and while the symptoms are similar, they are caused by different viruses.

The intensity of symptoms, the duration and potential side effects are also different:

• The common cold is an infection of the nose, sinuses, throat and larynx that can be caused by more than 200 different viruses, including rhinoviruses (which cause up to 40% of colds), adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruss and seasonal coronaviruses (not to be confused with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19). Symptoms are mild, including runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough and sometimes a slightly raised temperature. Usually lasts from a few days to a week.
• Influenza is usually caused by influenza A or B virus. Symptoms are more severe when compared to the common cold, such as fever, body aches, tiredness, cough, sore throat, and sometimes nausea or vomiting, usually lasting about a week. Fatigue may persist longer.
• COVID-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can be mild or very severe, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. Fatigue and muscle aches can last a few weeks with possible long-term health effects.

Here are the most common symptoms of colds, flu and Covid-19.

Colds and flu usually resolve within seven to ten days, and complications are typically mild or non-existent, but with COVID-19, complications can be very severe and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of these diseases are very similar, so the only way to confirm a COVID-19 infection is to have a COVID-19 test.

Cold and flu remedies

Colds and flu cannot be cured, but we can reduce the symptoms, shorten the duration of the illness and minimise the risk of complications.

Here are some common remedies and what science has to say about them:

Effective remedies for cold and flu symptoms

We may be ill with a cold or flu for one to two weeks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve our well-being.

Well-established and generally effective remedies for cold and flu symptoms include:

• Water, juice, or warm lemon water with honey prevents dehydration and helps relieve nasal congestion (dilute mucus). Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated lemonades, which can increase dehydration.
• Hot drinks and soups such as herbal teas, broths, warm lemon water with honey and light soups (such as chicken soup or broth) can soothe and help relieve nasal congestion and sore throat. Heat and steam from hot liquids can help open nasal cavities and make breathing easier. Soups also provide our bodies with the nutrients and water they need.
• Rest and sleep – support the immune system and allow our bodies to recover.
• Over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen can effectively reduce fever and relieve pain.
• Saltwater (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 glasses of warm water) – gargling the throat with salt water can temporarily relieve the pain of a sore throat.
• Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve nasal congestion. For babies, experts recommend putting several drops of saline into one nostril and then gently suctioning the nostril with a syringe or nasal aspirator. For older children, saline nasal sprays can be used.
• Paracetamol (Panadol)/acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and aspirin for pain relief. For children younger than six months, only acetaminophen/paracetamol is recommended. For children over six months, either paracetamol or ibuprofen is recommended, but be sure to consult your doctor about the most appropriate medicine for your situation and the right dose for your child’s age and weight. Adults can take paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. But, if taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, be careful with other anti-cough medicines as these often also contain paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, and by taking them, you can easily exceed the recommended daily dose. Children and adolescents recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should not take aspirin because aspirin is associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.
• Honey can help with coughs in adults and children over one year of age.
• Humidifying the air can increase the humidity in your home and help reduce nasal congestion – this is especially true in apartments with central heating in winter. A relative humidity between 40% and 60% and an air temperature between 18°C and 22°C are considered health-promoting.

Medicines to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

These drugs can relieve symptoms in adults and children (5 years and older), but they cannot prevent the disease or shorten the duration of the illness.

And.

Most of them have potential side effects, so overuse and/or inappropriate use of these medicines can cause serious harm. Consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Cold and flu remedies that don’t work

The list of ineffective cold remedies is long, but these should definitely not be used:

• Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, but colds and flu are caused by viruses not affected by antibiotics. Don’t use old antibiotics you have lying around – they won’t have any effect, and incorrect use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
• Over-the-counter medicines for colds and coughs in young children can cause serious and even life-threatening side effects. Consult your child’s doctor before taking any medicine.
• Hot alcoholic drinks (e.g. grog, Hot Toddy, etc.). A warm drink may temporarily relieve a sore throat, for example, but alcohol can dehydrate the body and weaken the immune system.

Cold and flu remedies with conflicting evidence

Despite numerous studies, scientists are still not convinced about the effectiveness of some popular cold and flu remedies:

• Vitamin C. Although vitamin C is essential for our immune system, it seems that increased intake of vitamin C does not help prevent colds and flu. However, some studies have found that taking vitamin C before the onset of cold symptoms can reduce the duration of these symptoms. Vitamin C may be useful for people at high risk of catching colds due to frequent illness, such as children attending kindergarten.

• There are mixed results from studies on the effects of echinacea on preventing or shortening the duration of cold or flu symptoms. Some studies show that it has no benefit. Other studies show a reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when echinacea is taken in the early stages of a cold. It is also possible that the results of the studies differ because the various studies used different types of echinacea. Echinacea seems to be most effective when taken for seven to ten days at the onset of the first symptoms of a cold. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many medications, so you should consult your doctor before taking Echinacea or any other dietary supplement.

• Several studies have shown that zinc supplements can reduce the duration of a cold by about one day, especially if taken within 24-48 hours of the first signs of a cold. However, studies on zinc and the common cold have shown mixed results. Excessive zinc use is also associated with potentially harmful side effects.

Key takeaways

Although colds cause discomfort, they are usually harmless. Flu is more dangerous because the complications (pneumonia) can be life-threatening.

Nothing can cure colds and flu – you just have to survive them – but we can relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications:

• Allowing the body to rest and recover.
• Drinking enough fluids to maintain the amount of water the body needs.
• Flushing the throat with warm salt water.
• Ventilating rooms regularly and keeping them at optimal humidity and air temperature for health.

Cold symptoms usually last about a week, while flu symptoms can last from three to seven days or longer.

If you do not feel better within 10 days, make sure you see your doctor.