These days, we hear about colds , fevers, and coughs everywhere. Have you also been feeling weak, aching, and feverish with the flu ? You may not know what medicine to take or what to do at such times. Don't worry, this condition happens to many of us. Today, we will talk about treatments that can help relieve flu symptoms and things we should be aware of.
What medicine should we take for flu symptoms?
Simply put, the medicine you take will depend on your symptoms. Not all medicines work for everyone. Let's look at which medicines can help each symptom.
Imagine that your nose is blocked and your sinuses feel tight. Then what will help you is a medicine that reduces the swelling in your nose. In medicine, we call these `decongestants`. These can be taken as pills or used as a nasal spray .
But here you need to remember something very important. It is not recommended to use nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days at a time. If you stop using them for too long, your nose may become even more congested (rebound symptoms ). Also, decongestants taken in pill form can sometimes increase your heart rate .
If you have symptoms like a runny nose, a stuffy throat ( postnasal drip ), watery eyes, and itching , antihistamines can help. But these are most often used for allergies. Some antihistamines can make you drowsy. So before taking any of these medications, it's best to talk to your doctor about what's best for your condition.
To make it easier to understand, let's look at this information in a table.
| Symptom | Types of medication that can be taken | Important Points |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal Congestion | Decongestants (medicines that reduce swelling in the nose) | Do not use nasal spray for more than 3 days. People with high blood pressure should definitely consult their doctor before using it. |
| Runny Nose, Watery Eyes | Antihistamines | Drowsiness may occur. Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, as they may interact with other medications. |
| Cough | Cough suppressants or expectorants | Do not give honey to children under 4 years of age without medical advice. Honey is good, but do not give it to babies under one year of age. |
| Fever & Body Aches | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), Ibuprofen | Take the dose your doctor tells you to take. Do not give aspirin to anyone under 19 years of age. |
Can someone with high blood pressure use decongestants?
This is a very important question. `Decongestant` type of medicine, especially `Pseudoephedrine` and `Phenylephrine` containing ingredients can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure, you should definitely talk to your doctor before taking this type of medicine. He or she will assess your health condition and give you a safe alternative.
What is the best thing for a cough?
An occasional cough is a way to clear out unwanted substances and mucus from the lungs. It is a defense mechanism of the body. However, if it is a persistent cough, the cause should be investigated and proper treatment should be sought.
There are all kinds of cough medicines in pharmacies. Some of them contain a combination of cough suppressants, expectorants, painkillers, `decongestants`, `antihistamines`, etc. But only a doctor knows what is right for you. You should be very careful when giving cough medicines, especially to small children.
Some studies suggest that drinking a teaspoon of honey can help relieve a cough. But here's a very important thing to remember: Never give honey to babies under one year of age for any reason. It can cause a serious food poisoning called `Botulism`.
What do you do for fever and body aches?
For fever and body aches, we can use medications like `Acetaminophen` (which we commonly use as `Paracetamol` in Sri Lanka) or `Ibuprofen`, which are familiar to us all.
But there are a few things to be careful of here too.
- Aspirin: Never give aspirin to children and young people under the age of 19. It can cause a serious condition called `Reye's syndrome`.
- Overdose: Many times, the multi-symptom cold and flu remedies we buy from the pharmacy may also contain `Paracetamol` or `Ibuprofen`. If you take a separate `Paracetamol` pill and then drink a similar packet, you may overdose on the medicine. It is very harmful to your liver. Therefore, before taking any medicine, ask your doctor about the ingredients in it.
What are antiviral medications? Are these given for the flu?
This is where many people get confused. `Antivirals` are not just ordinary medicines that reduce fever and cough. These are specific types of medicines that directly fight the flu virus and control the spread of the virus in the body. For example, medicines like `Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)` and `Zanamivir (Relenza)`.
These medications are most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms . They are not given to everyone. Your doctor may recommend these medications for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu (e.g., young children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease, and people with weakened immune systems).
Is it okay to take antibiotics for the flu?
No. It doesn't matter at all. This is the most important thing we all need to remember.
Flu is a disease caused by a virus . Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria . Therefore, antibiotics have no effect on the flu virus.
What happens when you use antibiotics unnecessarily is that in the future, when you actually get a bacterial infection, these drugs will no longer work (antibiotic resistance). That is very dangerous.
However, sometimes a secondary bacterial infection can develop during the flu, such as pneumonia. Only in such cases will a doctor prescribe an antibiotic to treat the bacterial infection.
If your symptoms are severe, your fever does not subside within a few days, you have difficulty breathing, or chest pain , see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
Take-Home Message
- Flu is a viral disease. Antibiotics don't work for it.
- Seek treatment based on your symptoms. But before taking any medication, especially if you have other medical conditions (such as high blood pressure or diabetes), talk to a doctor.
- Do not give cough and cold medicines purchased from the pharmacy to children under 4 years of age without consulting a doctor.
- Do not give Aspirin to anyone under the age of 19. Ask your doctor about Paracetamol or Ibuprofen instead.
- Do not give honey to babies under one year old.
- Drink plenty of fluids like water, porridge, and fruit juice. Get plenty of rest. This will help you recover quickly.
- If symptoms are severe, do not improve within a few days, or if you have difficulty breathing, see a doctor immediately.
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