When the weather starts to get cooler and I spend more time inside, I can’t help but think about cold and flu season. In spring and summer, it’s easy to assume the coughs and sniffles around the office are the result of allergies. But when it comes to fall, it’s harder to ignore the fact that maybe some of those sounds are really due to colds.
Colds and flu are both common in fall and winter (flu season usually spikes in January or later). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site, cold and flu often have similar symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. The symptoms of the flu tend to be worse than a cold and a special test is needed to determine if someone has the flu.
What’s your first line of defense if you start to feel sick? If you’re like many people, you may be thinking about visiting your doctor to get a prescription for an antibiotic. However, each year there is more focus on the issue of antibiotic resistance – when bacteria change in order to resist medication. The CDC calls this “one of the world’s most pressing public health problems” because many types of bacteria have become resistant to treatment, thereby threatening everyone. In fact, this issue has become such a concern for hospitals, many have introduced programs to monitor the rate and type of antibiotic prescribed – even restricting doctors from prescribing medications when they are deemed not necessary or effective.
It is important to note that the flu and colds are caused by viruses (not bacteria) and therefore cannot be treated with antibiotics (some viruses can be treated with antivirals). Therefore, antibiotics cannot shorten or lessen the symptoms of the flu or cold. (In some cases doctors may prescribe antibiotics if they feel there is a risk for a bacterial infection, such as bacterial pneumonia.)
Instead of requesting antibiotics, the CDC makes the following recommendations for prevention and treatment of flu and colds:
- Wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
- Increase fluid intake.
- Use a vaporizer or saline nose spray.
- Use sore throat spray or lozenges, if necessary.
- And if you are prescribed antibiotics: take the entire prescription, do not skip doses or save leftovers, do not share antibiotics with others and do not take others’ prescriptions.
When I get a cold, I know my best treatment is to stay home in bed and sleep, drink lots of caffeine-free soda and eat popsicles. Do you have any tricks to help you feel better once you’re sick?
Kerry
