The colder months are notorious for higher numbers of infections, including the common cold and flu. This year, coronavirus has joined the stakes – putting people’s health on the line.
“All of these infections involve a cough, sore throat, fatigue, aches and pains,” said Dr Stephanie Colbourn.
The GP based at Portland Medical Centre in South Norwood, Croydon, continued: “The key to telling the difference between them is by which symptoms are predominating.”
Bear in mind that booking a free NHS coronavirus test is essential if you have one of the following symptoms outlined by the NHS.
A high temperature
This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (a thermometer isn’t needed)
A new, continuous cough
This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.
If you already suffer from a chronic cough, then you’d have noticed it’s got worse than usual.
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
This means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different from normal
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Symptoms of the common cold tend to stay in the upper airways, meaning you’re most likely to suffer from the following:
- Blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
There may be a sense of feeling run down, but most people will probably feel okay.
Other symptoms can include pains, aches and fatigue. Over-the-counter remedies can be taken to relieve bothersome symptoms.
The flu
Also known as influenza, this type of infection can be more dangerous to vulnerable individuals.
The NHS explained flu symptoms “come on very quickly” and can include the following:
- A sudden high temperature of 38C or above
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
Treatment includes drinking plenty of water, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, keep warm, rest and sleep.
More people are eligible for the flu vaccine this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As the Astra-Zeneca coronavirus vaccine is to be rolled out on Monday, January 4, the hope is that fewer people will have an adverse reaction to the virus.
Source: Daily Express
