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Is it a Cold or is it the Flu? |
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Introduction |
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The common cold is a short-term viral infection involving the upper
respiratory tract. It is very easily spread and easily contracted.
The common cold is one of the most common short-term illnesses that
affect humans. Adults
generally get about one to three colds a year, while infants typically
average 6 to 8 colds per year because their immune systems are not fully
developed. The droplets of
cold virus on an infected person’s hand can be transmitted during a
handshake; therefore hand-to-hand contact is a likely mechanism for viral
transfer. The virus
enters the body of an uninfected person when their hands touch their eyes
and rub their nose.
The
“flu” is also a short-term viral infection but it tends to involve the
entire body not just the upper respiratory tract.
Influenza is contracted by coming into contact with the respiratory
secretions of a person with the virus.
Symptoms of the “flu” occur very rapidly.
In North America, the flu almost always strikes from October to
March.
Although there is no cure for the common cold and flu, non-prescription
products can relieve the symptoms. Antibiotics
are useless against viral diseases like flu and cold, but they’re given
for secondary bacterial infections
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Cold vs. Flu Symptomolgy Chart |
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COLD
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FLU
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Sore throat
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Mild, dry, scratchy, usually
the first symptom
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Sometimes
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Runny nose
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Clear mucus and sneezing
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Mild at first then becomes
bothersome in later stages
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Nasal congestion
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Being “stuffed up”
follows the sore throat and runny nose
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Very mild
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Dry cough
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Early stages: dry,
“tickle”
Later stages: phlegm
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Common, can become severe
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Fever
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Typically absent, patient
may feel warm
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Most noticeable symptom, it
tends to rise rapidly within the first 12 hours, is often high (41
C), and can last for 2 or 3 days
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Headache
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Can be caused by infection
and/or inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages
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Prominent
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General aches and pains
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Slight
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Very pronounced in the back
and legs
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Chills
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Common
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Common
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Malaise
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Not present
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Common
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Fatigue, weakness
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Quite mild
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Can last up to 2-3 weeks
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Non-Drug Treatment Suggestions |
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Drink plenty of fluids (drinking hot
liquid increases nasal mucus flow)
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Eat nutritious foods (low fat, whole
grains, fruits and vegetables)
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Deliver moisture into the air.
Humidifiers produce a cool mist, which can be used for hay fever and
allergies. A cool mist is
also important to use when a child has a fever.
Vaporizers produce a warm stream, which can be used for cough and
cold symptoms. Both allow
vapours to go into the nose to relieve congestion.
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Plenty of rest
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Wash hands frequently
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Avoid rubbing nose and eyes
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Non-Prescription Drug
Recommendations |
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Sore throat
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Analgesics for the pain:
acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ASA or a lozenge (Bentasil,
Fishermen’s Friends, Halls, Sucrets, Vicks Cough Drops)
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Runny nose
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Antihistamines: Benadryl,
Chlor-Tripolon, Dimetapp, Triaminic
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Nasal congestion
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Orally: Sudafed, Contac C,
Dimetapp, Eltor 120, Entex LA
Nasal: Otrivin, Dristan,
Drixoral (do not use for more than 3 days)
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Dry, non-productive cough
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Benylin DM, Buckley’s DM,
Delsym
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Phlegm producing cough
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Benylin E, Robitussin
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General aches and pains,
fever
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Analgesics: acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, ASA
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For anyone who is taking prescription or
non-prescription drugs, consult your pharmacist to avoid drug
interactions. |
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Non-Prescription
Drug Recommendations for special population groups |
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Children (it
is best to use products containing one ingredient) |
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Caution:
Never use ASA (acetylsalicylic acid, Aspirin® ) in children and teenagers.
The combination of influenza or chicken pox and ASA is linked to
Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the brain and
liver. ASA should not be used
during the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may cause problems in the
unborn child or complications during delivery.
Analgesic and antipyretic
(fever-reducing):
Acetaminophen: 10-15 mg/kg every 4 to 6 hours
3 months or younger: 40 mg/dose every 4 to 6 hours
4-11
months: 80 mg/dose every 4 to 6 hours
12-23 months: 120 mg/dose every 4 to 6 hours
2-4 years: 160mg/dose every 4 to 6 hours
Ibuprofen:
if temperature is > 39 C, recommended dose is 10 mg/kg
If temperature is < 39 C, recommended dose is 5mg/kg
Nasal congestion:
Pseudoephedrine: 6 kg (13.2
lbs): 3.75 mg every 4 to 6 hours
9 kg (19.8 lbs): 7.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours
13 kg (28.6 lbs): 11.25 mg every 4 to 6 hours
2-4 years: 15 mg every 4 to 6 hours
Saline drops and a nasal aspirator
can be helpful especially when the baby is breast-feeding. This allows the baby to breathe easier.
Runny nose:
Antihistamines should not
be used in children under 2 years old. Children older than 2 years can use
12.5-25 mg every 4 to 6 hours (1.25 mg/kg).
Dry cough:
a child’s cough should not be
suppressed, as a cough is a protective mechanism to remove a foreign
object.
Dextromethorphan: Children
older than 2 years can use 7.5mg every 6 hours (1mg/kg/day).
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Diabetics
Caution: oral decongestants for
nasal congestion. Oral
decongestants can inhibit insulin production and can also increase
production of glucose; therefore glucose meter readings may go up.
Treatment options: saline spray,
nasal decongestant, vaporizer, menthol rub or menthol nasal inhaler
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Patients with hypertension
Caution: oral decongestants for
nasal congestion. Oral
decongestants can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Treatment options: nasal
decongestant if blood pressure is well controlled, saline spray vaporizer,
menthol rub or menthol nasal inhaler.
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Asthmatics
Caution: antitussives or
cough suppressants (codeine, dextromethrophan) for a cough.
Antitussives can cause a histamine release therefore possibly
inducing bronchospasm and it can also depress respiration. Additionally,
the use of cough suppressants can mask the aggravation of asthma symptoms,
which are often characterized by cough. It is best to first treat
the cough as an asthma episode using bronchodilators (salbutamol,
terbutaline, etc.) before considering a cough suppressant. Consult
your pharmacist or physician before using cough suppressants.
Although decongestants such as
pseudoephedrine are considered safe, antihistamines are not recommended
unless it is for the control of allergy symptoms. In cold
remedies, antihistamines are added for their drying effects and therefore
for the treatment of runny nose symptoms. Unfortunately, this same
drying effect can also dry mucous secretions in the bronchials and lungs
which is a counter productive and dangerous effect for asthmatics.
Antihistamines should therefore be avoided when treating cold symptoms.
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When to see a doctor: |
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If a child is less than 2 months old or
has a fever > 40.5 C (no matter how old the child is), see a physician
immediately. A physician
should be seen the next day if the temperature is > 38.5 C for more
than 24 hours.
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If acetaminophen or ibuprofen has brought
a child’s fever down for a couple of hours but fever has come back, and
child's temperature is 40 C or 103 F or greater..
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If acetaminophen or ibuprofen does not
reduce fever, see doctor immediately.
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Rapid onset of a painful sore throat,
high fever
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Persistent cough (with or without
congestion), shortness of breath, wheezing
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If a child has a persistent, dry cough
especially at night
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Earache with/following cold, fever
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Purulent sputum/nasal discharge, chest
discomfort/pain

Copyright © 2000 Stafford Pharmacy &
Home Healthcare
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