Is it Cold or Flu?
Many of the symptoms of flu are similar to those of a common cold. Viruses cause them both, but flu affects the lungs much more than a cold does. Generally the symptoms of a cold tend to develop over a couple of days whereas the symptoms of flu have a more abrupt onset, often developing over a matter of hours. Flu doesn't usually give you the same congested heavy-headed feeling that a cold does. Beechams is here however to relieve your symptoms, whether you are suffering from a cold or the flu.
Use this table below to help spot the differences:
Cold Symptoms:
- Mild fever, slow onset.
- High temperature 37–38.3¢ªC /98.6–101¢ªF
- Sore throat / pain when swallowing.
- Mild earache.
- Tiredness.
- Coughing.
- Sneezing.
- Runny or blocked nose.
- Headache.
Flu Symptoms:
- Fever, abrupt onset.
- High temperature 38-40¢ªC / 100-104¢ªF
- Sweating and feeling feverish.
- General muscle aches and pains.
- A feeling of general tiredness.
- Dry, chesty cough.
- Sneezing.
- Runny or blocked nose.
- Difficulty sleeping.
What can help treat your symptoms?
- Drink plenty of fluids. Water is best but orange juice and others high in vitamin C are also a good choice.
- Steam inhalation can ease your congestion. Sit with a towel over your head over a bowl of water. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply.
- Paracetamol and Ibuprofen-based products can help relieve pain and lower fever.
- Decongestants such as phenylephrine work by reducing the swelling in the passageways of your nose and help to ease breathing.
- Cough medicines to relieve dry or chesty coughs.
- Try to rest and avoid strenuous activity.
- Night time treatments can also help to relieve your cold and flu symptoms to help you get a good night's sleep.
- Talk to your pharmacist about the range of over the counter products available to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu.
- Ask you pharmacist about cold and flu relief this winter.