Colds and Flu

Colds or viral upper respiratory tract infections usually start with a sore or scratchy throat and later move to nasal congestion. These acute symptoms usually last 5 to 10 days (the total duration of all symptoms is approximately 10 to 14 days). They often start improving gradually after the first 48 hours or so.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.” Source: www.cdc.gov

In the midst of the cold and flu season, keep these tips in mind to keep up your resistance and minimize your exposure:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially when around people who have colds. Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth.
• Use disposable paper towels and cups in the bathroom.
• Get a flu vaccination every fall if available, preferably by the end of November. They are about 70–90% effective in preventing influenza. Very few people have significant side effects. About 1–2% may have mild symptoms, such as local or general aches or low-grade fever, in the first 24 hours after getting a flu vaccine.
• Get plenty of rest (an extra 2-3 hours of sleep per night).
• Drink a lot of liquids (8 oz. every hour while awake), especially when you have a high fever. Water, juice, and non-caffeinated drinks are best.
• Use a humidifier in your room to increase moisture.
• Use saline nasal spray or drops to reduce nasal congestion.
• Gargle with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water) every three to four hours to help reduce the pain and swelling of a sore throat.
• Call the Ask a Nurse line (617.998.4847) or stop by the Center for Wellness and Health Communication (617.495.9629) for more information or to have your specific questions answered about colds and flu.
• Take either nonprescription acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen, to lower a fever. Avoid ibuprofen if you have chronic heart or kidney problems or diabetes. Do NOT use aspirin if you have a flu-like illness. In rare instances this can cause Reye’s Syndrome or liver failure.
• Use (ONLY BRIEFLY, 3 days maximum) Afrin or Neosynephrine drops/spray up to twice a day, especially prior to a hot steamy shower.
• Avoid over-the-counter antihistamines (drying agents).
• Do not use antibiotics to treat a cold. Antibiotics are not effective in combating a virus. The common cold is caused by a virus. Using antibiotics unnecessarily could lead to antibiotic resistance in the future.

Whether or not you have “seasonal allergies” or allergies that last for a longer period of time, there are several things you can do to help manage your symptoms:

• Limit or avoid exposure to the allergen, if feasible. Repeated exposure to allergens can worsen symptoms.
• Spend time outdoors only when pollen counts are lowest (early morning and late afternoon).
• Keep humidity in your room moderate.
• Change your clothes and take a shower when you come home from the outdoors.
• Avoid use of rugs, have only vinyl blinds, and place bedding in anti-allergenic covers.
• Make an appointment with your Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) primary care clinician team (617.495.2001 or 617.495.8414) to devise a plan to manage your allergies.