Colds and influenza, flu, or covid-19 may share symptoms, but they are different. And the way they are treated is different.
What is a cold?
Cold or catarrh is upper respiratory tract infection Its symptoms are as follows Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, slight fever, headache and discomfort.
Cause: Respiratory virus
The viruses causing these conditions may be from the coronavirus family, adenovirus, influenza virus family, etc.but The main cause of colds are viruses from the rhinoviridae family., responsible for up to half of all colds. Each virus family is characterized by a specific season of transmission: rhinoviruses are present year-round but appear most frequently in early fall.
How are respiratory viruses spread?
Although we develop immunity to some of these viruses, there are many subtypes of the same virus (the rhinovirus family alone includes more than 100 variants), and we can get sick again if we become infected with another virus from the same family.
he infect it is produced contact by hand Contact with contaminated people or objects, followed by contact with eyes or nasal mucosa, or through vaccination Contact through nasal mucosa or conjunctiva with large infectious respiratory tract particles or Inhalation of fine particles in respiratory tract Expelled when we sneeze or cough.
The period is incubation its about 72 hours. Cold symptoms are primarily caused by our body’s immune response.
best cold medicine
What is the best cold treatment? We reviewed options for symptoms in children and adults.
Children’s cold
On average, it is estimated Children under six years old may get 6 to 8 colds each year between September and April Typical duration is about 14 days, while older children and adults suffer There are about 2-4 colds per year And symptoms last only half as long.
- Typical symptoms in babies are fever and runny nose.as well as irritability, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping…
- In older children, the most typical symptoms are nasal congestion, runny nose, and cough.. There is also sore throat, hoarseness, headache, irritability, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes.
Fever is not a symptom of a common cold: If present, it may indicate a bacterial infection (ear infection, sinusitis, pneumonia…).
How to Treat Colds in Children
There are no antiviral drugs that treat the most common viruses that cause colds (except influenza viruses), so Treatment is only intended to relieve cold symptoms. This can be suggested:
- stay well hydrated Helps thin mucus secretions.
- drink hot liquids (such as broth) also soothes and softens the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
- Use saline Helps eliminate nasal secretions and promotes nasal decongestion.In infants, you may need to use a nasal bulb to suck out mucus after using saline solution, but The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) advises against overuse of nasalis, Use once or twice a day and only when you have a lot of mucus.
What medications can they take?
About children’s cold medicine There are a variety of over-the-counter medicines that can relieve cold symptoms, but most are only suitable for children 6 years and older.
- for Under 2 years old You should only use paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever or general discomfort.
- From the age of 2, Exceed paracetamol and Ibuprofenalso authorized mucolytic agentdrugs that help reduce the viscosity of respiratory secretions and make them easier to pass (such as ambroxol, acetylcysteine, and carbocysteine), and cough medicinethat is, medicines that suppress a dry or dry cough, such as dextromethorphan and cloperastine.
- Starting from the age of 6, In addition to the above-mentioned drugs, there are other over-the-counter medicines that incorporate other active ingredients into their composition, such as:
- Antihistamines to relieve a runny nose, such as diphenhydramine, triprolidine, or chlorpheniramine.
- Vasoconstrictors that reduce nasal congestion, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.
- Expectorants, which help remove respiratory secretions, such as guaifenesin.
Precautions for taking anti-cold medicines for children
The authorized active ingredients are sold under different brands in the form of syrups or oral solutions, either alone or in combination with each other.
- prefer With helmet.
- If it is a children’s syrup or oral solution Use the measuring spoon included in the package, or if this is not available, use a syringe.
- Do not mix different cold medicines Because the likelihood of adverse reactions or overdose increases.
- Follow the recommended dosage in the drug package insert.
- Do not give the medicine to children outside the age range stated on the package insert..
cold in adults
this Cold symptoms vary From one person to another: most commonly Runny nose, stuffy nose, and sore throat. Another common symptom is coughthis is usually the symptom that takes the longest to go away.
Fever is not a common symptom of colds in adults, and when it does occur it is usually low-grade.. Other possible symptoms include: sneezing, general malaise, headache, pressure or discomfort in the ears and face.
Generally speaking, Colds last 3 to 10 days in adultsalthough they can last up to two weeks, for example, for smokers.
Cold therapy for adults
There are currently no antiviral drugs for these viruses, so treatment is only designed to relieve cold symptoms. Depending on the main symptoms, it is recommended to take certain active ingredients or others:
- analgesics as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid They can relieve general discomfort, headaches, muscle pain, earache and reduce fever.
- antitussive medicine For example, dextromethorphan or cloperastine can suppress a dry or dry cough.
- mucolytic agent Examples include acetylcysteine, carbocysteine, ambroxol, bromhexine, or brovanesine to reduce the viscosity of respiratory secretions and facilitate their elimination.
- expectorant For example, guaifenesin can increase the volume and reduce the viscosity of respiratory secretions.
- vasoconstrictor For example, pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine can reduce nasal congestion.
- antihistamines For example, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, or triprolidine can relieve a runny nose.
All these active ingredients are present alone or in combination in the composition of most oral anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Frenadol, Couldina, Bisolgrip, etc.it’s important Tell the pharmacist what the main symptoms are . Generally speaking, we usually find medications that combine an analgesic with an antihistamine and a decongestant or a cough suppressant, or a cough suppressant, a decongestant, and an antihistamine, or just a cough suppressant and Expectorant.
In addition, there are other types of drug Used to relieve some cold symptoms, such as:
- topical ointment Based on aromatic substances such as camphor, turpentine, menthol, eucalyptus and thymol, it is applied to the chest and back up to three times a day. They contain substances that help with nasal congestion and relieve coughs. Two brands, Vaporub and Mentobox, are sold in Spain.
- Lozenges to relieve sore throat Based on anti-inflammatory drugs such as flurbiprofen or benzamine, or based on local anesthetics such as benzocaine or lidocaine.
Anti-cold medication recommendations for adults
it’s always important If we have any other medical conditions, please tell the pharmacist Since each active ingredient has a set of contraindications, warnings and precautions for use and interactions with other different medications: e.g. First generation antihistamines usually have anticholinergic effects., which for the elderly can cause: dizziness, sedation, confusion, hypotension, dry mouth, urinary retention, etc. Or decongestants are contraindicated in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, a history of hemorrhagic stroke, angle-closure glaucoma, etc.
As with any medicine, it’s important to fight colds Please read the package insert and consult your pharmacist first.
What cold medicines can pregnant women take?
During pregnancy you must have Be especially careful with medications, especially in the first few months. In the case of colds or catarrhal diseases, self-limiting infections (i.e. they resolve on their own), It’s best to use alternatives that relieve symptoms without medication.: Drink more fluids, choose infusions, broths, and candies to soften your throat…
Best treatments to fight the flu
What if we don’t have a cold but the flu? In this case, we recommend that you fully understand what measures you should and should not take to fight this disease.