Peak season for both illnesses, as well as other similar respiratory viruses, is nearing with the UKHSA issuing alerts on how people can tell the difference
As we approach the peak of sniffle season, it’s not just the usual winter bugs Brits need to be wary of. Covid-19 is still in circulation, with various strains spreading across the UK, and could potentially peak during the colder months. While flu and Covid-19 are distinct illnesses, they share several similar symptoms, which may leave people puzzled about what they’re suffering from this winter and how to manage it.
To assist, the UKHSA has put together a comprehensive guide on both diseases, urging anyone with symptoms to stay at home or wear a mask if they must go out, and to get vaccinated against both conditions. The agency emphasised: “Simple measures like catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, regular handwashing, and opening a window when meeting others indoors can all help reduce the spread of respiratory infections.”
Flu
Flu is a viral infection that targets the nose, throat and lungs. It can strike at any time of year, but it’s most commonly spread during the winter months. Unlike a cold, which develops gradually, flu symptoms appear quickly.
Flu symptoms include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The NHS advises people suffering from flu symptoms to take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce their temperature and consume plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections such as flu.
Pharmacists can offer guidance and suggest flu treatments, but the NHS cautions: “Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it’s easy to take more than the recommended dose.”
Covid-19
UKHSA states: “While for most people COVID-19 is not as severe as during the early years of the pandemic, the virus is still causing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths – particularly among those with a weakened immune system and those 75 year old and over.”
Symptoms of the most recent Covid-19 variants include:
- fever or chills
- continuous cough
- shortness of breath
- tiredness
- body aches
- headache
- sore throat
- blocked nose
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- change in sense of taste or smell
Some people also experience various throat-related symptoms including ‘razor-blade throat’ and a raspy voice. Those aged 75 and above, residing in care facilities for elderly people, or who are immunocompromised and over 6 months old, qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination.
Covid-19 treatment primarily centres on relieving symptoms, such as using paracetamol or ibuprofen if feeling unwell. A pharmacist can provide assistance regarding cough remedies, and the NHS suggests trying a teaspoon of honey to alleviate this symptom.
For those experiencing breathlessness, the NHS advises: “Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you’re gently blowing out a candle…lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness.”