Both the common cold and flu (influenza) are upper respiratory infections that affect mainly the nose and throat. Flu is caused by the influenza virus while a cold can be caused by many types of viruses, all of which give the same symptoms.

Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after catching the virus and may include:

• dry or sore throat - may be the first sign, coming a day or so before other symptoms
• runny nose - clear and watery to start with, then mucus gets thicker
• blocked nose (nasal congestion) - babies may have trouble feeding
• headache - all over head or around eyes and nose
• sneezing - your body's attempt to clear nasal passages
• cough-maybe dry or productive (producing phlegm)
• fever - feeling hot, then cold, often with shivers as well (only happens with flu)
• aches - sore, aching muscles and joints often occur with flu
• hoarseness - rough voice as virus causes swelling of vocal chords (voice box).

Colds and flu may develop into something more serious, especially when a bacteria attacks on top of a virus.

• otitis media (middle ear infection) - common in children when infection spreads up the nasal passages to the middle ear
• sinusitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the sinuses, or the air-filled bone cavities surrounding the nose).
• acute bronchitis (inflammation of the air passages).
• Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx or voice box).
• Pneumonia - infection travels down through airways into the lungs.

Yellow, white or green mucus after a couple of days of cold/flu is usually a result of your immune system fighting the virus. Yellow or green mucus that develops 4-5 days after your initial cold/flu symptoms may be due to a bacterial infection. Ask your pharmacist.

Your cold is more likely to get worse or develop into something more serious if your immune system is low e.g. if you are tired, run down, have another illness, are poorly nourished, elderly or very young.

There is no cure for colds or flu but you can treat the symptoms. You will still have the cold but you will feel better.

As different symptoms occur in different parts of the body you may need more than one medicine for the best effect. Your doctor will help you choose the right medicine for each symptom.

You should also:

• get plenty of rest and stay warm.
• do not exercise or do heavy physical work.
• drink 6-8 glasses of fluid each day to keep the mucus more liquid, cool the fever and replace the fluids lost.
• breathe in steam (add vapor rub to very hot, steaming water in a bowl and inhale for 10 minutes).
• talk to your doctor about driving or flying after taking certain cold medicines
• read directions on medicines carefully
• talk to your doctor before giving aspirin to children or teenagers
• eat as usual if your appetite is normal. If you have no appetite eat less, but try to have a balanced, healthy diet
• get plenty of sleep
• try to blow your nose with one or both nostrils open so you don't force infection up to the middle ear
• cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue
• Wash hands regularly especially before cooking or eating.
• stop smoking - it makes your symptoms worse

A simple flu or cold can be managed at home. But you should see your family doctor or visit a government polyclinic:

• A cold/flu that doesn’t improve after a week.
• A fever of 38⁰C or higher for more than 3 days.
• If you start wheezing, having difficulty in breathing or have chest pain.
• If you develop a smelly, thick, green or yellow nose discharge or phlegm.
• If you develop pain in one or both ears, or at the forehead or cheeks.
• If your throat is very painful and won’t go away.
• If you develop any of the above and your family doctor’s clinic and/or the government polyclinics are closed, you should go to the nearest A & E dept.

There is yet no medicine that can kill viruses. And no amount of medicine can shorten the time that your body needs to get over a flu or cold.

So, though medicines are not necessary (since you will get better anyway with or without them), there are some medicines you can take to relieve your symptoms. (Without medicine, it takes about 7 days to get well from a flu/cold. With medicine, it also takes about 7 days).

You can buy these medicines from any pharmacy and follow the dosage on their containers.

• Medicine for fever e.g. paracetamol, aspirin (adults only), to bring down a fever.
• Antihistamine e.g. bucizine, chloropheniramine, promethazine to help dry up a runny nose.

• Nose decongestant e.g. phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, to clear a blocked nose.

• Cough medicine e.g. cough expectorant to stimulates coughing to remove phlegm in a "wet cough" and cough suppressant to suppresses coughing in a "dry cough" with no phlegm.

There are several common-sense ways of reducing your risk of catching a flu or cold. Get enough sleep, eat sensibly, avoid exposure to a sudden chill and stay away from crowds during an epidemic.

MAJ (DR) LAM PIN MIN and MWO JOHNNY LIM