As temperatures drop, our bodies become vulnerable to a host of microorganisms. The irritation of the common cold (the most common infectious disease worldwide) is bad enough, and most of us get two to four colds a year. But if symptoms worsen, you may have flu or bronchitis, which can develop into pneumonia. It pays to know which of these you have, so you can treat it early and break the chain of winter ills.
1. A cold
This can be caused by any one of 200 known viruses, picked up from an infected person through a sneeze or physical contact, says Dr Neville Wellington, a GP at Medicross Kenilworth in Cape Town. A cold is limited to your upper respiratory system, and announces itself with a runny, stuffy nose, streaming eyes and raspy throat. As your body’s white cells rally to fight the infection, they release cytokines, chemicals that can also make you tired and slightly feverish. Though unpleasant, a cold is rarely serious and is generally over in four to 14 days.
Treat it
Antibiotics won’t help – they’re effective only against bacteria and powerless against viruses. All you can do is get some rest and drink plenty of fluids (to keep mucous fluid and easier to expel), says Wellington. Ask your Clicks Pharmacist about OTC relief such as nasal decongestants, paracetamol or ibuprofen, adds Clicks Pharmacist Waheed Abdurahman.
Prevent it
Take steps now to boost your immune system. Natural health advocates swear by large doses of vitamin C at the first hint of a sore throat, and zinc lozenges. But take care: the Mayo Clinic warns that megadoses of vitamin C may cause gastrointestinal problems, and large doses of zinc can be toxic.
2. Flu
There are three types – influenza A, B and C – but many strains. Like colds, flu is caused by viruses, but comes on more suddenly, with a high temperature, shivering, weak and aching muscles, headache, sore throat and nausea. Flu usually lasts seven to 10 days, but symptoms may linger. And if your immune system is low, it can be deadly: Dr Sibongile Walaza, medical epidemiologist at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, reports that flu kills 6 000 to 11 000 South Africans a year.
If you get painfully short of breath, cough up large quantities of green, bloody phlegm, or have a high fever for more than three days, be sure to see a professional, says Wellington.
Treat it
As with a cold, antibiotics won’t help and your best bet is bed rest (you’ll want it!) and lots of liquids. Again, ask your Clicks Pharmacist about OTC relief (a decongestant, throat lozenges and painkillers), says Abdurahman.
Prevent it
Your greatest protection is an annual flu shot to ward off the most dangerous strains expected, and possibly reduce the symptoms of others. Having a shot is especially important if you are over 65 or have a heart, kidney or lung condition, asthma or HIV/Aids.
3. Bronchitis
This is inflammation of the airways leading to your lungs, and can develop from a cold or flu. The inflammation produces swelling and mucous, and as your body tries to get rid of it, you cough. You may wheeze when you breathe, run a fever and lack energy.
You are more at risk of bronchitis if your respiratory system has been compromised by smoking or environmental pollution, or your immune system is low, says Wellington. Most bronchitis is the acute variety, developing fast and lasting less than two weeks. But if you smoke, bronchitis can be chronic – lingering or constantly returning. If you don’t get medical attention, it can lead to pneumonia, as your immune defences are weakened when you are ill.
Treat it
Because bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus, often following a cold or flu, antibiotics won’t help, but there are medications that can relieve symptoms. Ask your pharmacist or health professional about an OTC expectorant and cough lozenges, and get lots of fluid and rest, says Abdurahman.
Prevent it
Don’t smoke, or allow others to smoke in your home, and boost your immunity. And if you get a cold or flu, head it off with rest and fluids to prevent it leading to bronchitis.
Pneumonia
This is an infection inside one or both of your lungs (when it’s in both, you have ‘double pneumonia’). Pneumonia can be caused by viruses – sometimes the same ones that cause flu (influenza A or B) – or by bacteria, or simply by breathing in irritants such as chemicals.
Viral pneumonia has flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, weakness), along with chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough, and your cough is often dry or only slightly productive. With bacterial pneumonia, your cough produces thick green or rust-coloured (and often bloody) phlegm. Untreated, pneumonia can be life-threatening, cautions Wellington.
Treat it
You need to see a health professional to diagnose it – they may want to confirm it with a chest X-ray or scan, or blood and sputum tests. Bacterial pneumonia will respond to antibiotics, but viral pneumonia will not, and you will have to resort to bed rest and relief of symptoms with OTC preparations, Abdurahman says. Never ignore signs of pneumonia, and if your breathing becomes difficult, you cough blood, or your lips and fingernails turn blue, get emergency medical attention.
Prevent it
Have your flu jab each year, don’t smoke, and boost your immunity.
Beef up your immunity
Manage your diet
Include a wide variety of foods, says Anja Smant, a dietitian at Medicross Springs. “Fruit and vegetables provide antioxidants. Choose different colours – red (think tomatoes, peppers), green (spinach, cabbage) and yellow/orange (pumpkin, carrots) – and make delicious winter stews.” Eat oily fish (sardines, salmon) two or three times a week for omega-3 fatty acids.
Keep up your protein levels with chicken or a little red meat (high in iron and zinc; vital for the functioning of certain immune cells) once or twice a week, and have regular helpings of lentils, pulses and whole grains. Vegetarians can have dairy, eggs (even daily), soya and a handful of nuts.
Clean up your hygiene
Wash your hands regularly to guard against infection, especially after coming from school or the shops – use soap and dry them well, says Durban microbiologist Dr AK Peer. Don’t touch your face (your mouth, nose and eyes) and don’t share food utensils, glasses or cups. Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold or flu and teach children to cover their mouth and nose with their elbow if they cough or sneeze, not their hand, so they don’t pass on germs.
Get moving
It’s harder to get out of bed in winter, but moderate exercise five days a week may cut your risk of getting a cold by nearly 50%, according to a US study. Lead researcher Dr David Nieman at Appalachian State University in North Carolina reports that exercise sparks a temporary spike in immune system cells circulating in your body, which can attack foreign invaders.
Have your shot
If you haven’t had your flu jab yet, it’s never too late, says Abdurahman. But don’t go if you’re already showing signs of illness – your infection may get worse.
How Clicks Clinics can help you during the flu season
Book an appointment for a flu vaccination at a Clicks Clinic by calling 0860 254 257 or visiting Clicks Clinics online. The good news is that most medical aids now cover the flu vaccination and sometimes even reward members.
Take note that the following people cannot get vaccinated:
- Babies younger than 6 months
- Anyone allergic to eggs
- Anyone who already has a fever
- Anyone who has shown a past reaction to a vaccine
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