Tips on dealing with colds and flu

Cold and flu season is upon us and if you think we’re going to take it lying down, then you’re absolutely right as rest is important for recovery.

We may be in the trenches of cold and flu season, but fear not, because the folks from Panadol have hooked us up with some top tips to help you recover quickly.

First things first though, it’s important to know the difference between cold and flu. While they share some symptoms in common, they are two different things.

A cold is an upper respiratory infection and typical symptoms can include a sore throat, a cough, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches and a general sense of feeling unwell.

Flu is caused by influenza types A, B and C. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease. A fever, muscle pain and a general sense of weakness and discomfort are often the first signs of the illness. Headaches and body aches occur occasionally with colds, but they’re common with the flu. Fatigue can occur with colds but is more likely with the flu. A stuffy and runny nose and a sore throat are very common with a cold but they occur only sometimes with the flu. A cough is common in both cold and flu. 

Using tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze and binning used tissues as quickly as possible, whilst staying at home can stop the spread of flu.

However, when you do become unwell, there are a number of self-care tips you can practice to help you recover.

Self-care tips for a cold

Rest

You can get relief for the symptoms of a cold but you have to let it run its course. You can help your recovery by making sure you get plenty of rest.

Pain & Fever Relievers

If you’ve got a fever, sore throat or headache, you can take pain medication like Panadol 500mg Film-coated Tablets which contains paracetamol.

Self-care tips for flu

Rest and stay warm

Stay in bed if you think you have flu symptoms as sleep can help you recover more quickly. 

Rehydrate

Drink plenty of fluids – water, decaf tea and electrolyte-enhanced drinks – to replenish any fluids lost through vomiting, diarrhoea or sweating. 

Medicine 

Paracetamol (which is the ingredient in Panadol) or ibuprofen can help lower a fever and make you feel better.

For more information on Panadol and the flu, check out this page right here.