More About Common Colds

Did you know there are over 200 cold viruses in circulation, just waiting to infect? It’s not surprising people are always looking for ways to avoid catching a cold, and when they do come down with one, for ways to limit its intensity and duration!

Is It a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19?

While these three contagious infections are caused by different viruses, they can all cause symptoms that look similar.

A common cold often starts with a sore throat, followed by sneezing, a stuffy and runny nose (clear discharge), and a cough. Symptoms usually appear gradually, and last an average of 7 to 10 days, although a cough can persist beyond that period. Colds tend to be benign infections, however, they can be accompanied by complications such as a middle ear infection, sinusitis, or other health problems.

The flu is more intense, and is typically characterized by extreme fatigue, muscle pain and overall stiffness, fever (between 38°C and 40°C), and headache. Symptoms often come on suddenly, and can last 2 to 3 weeks. Complications of the flu, especially among the more vulnerable, include bronchitis, sinusitis, middle ear infection, pneumonia, cardiac complications, and others.

COVID-19 confuses matters somewhat, as it is easy to mistake it for the flu (more so than for a cold). Fever, a cough, fatigue, muscle pain, and headaches are all symptoms that are common with both the flu and COVID-19. A loss of the sense of taste and smell are more common with COVID-19 than with the flu. In vulnerable people, COVID-19 can cause very serious complications, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, kidney failure, heart problems, systemic inflammatory response, and others. Compared to the flu, COVID-19 can cause more serious illness in some people.

How Can I Avoid Catching a Cold?

You can reduce the risk of catching a cold by continuing to follow the health measures introduced during the pandemic. We know they work!

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Mucous membranes in the nose, mouth, and eyes are the main entry point for viruses to attack your respiratory tract.
• Do not share personal items with someone who is sick.
• Keep your distance from others if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough into the crook of your elbow.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat a diet rich in plant products and low in saturated fats and added sugars, partake in moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, get enough sleep, keep your stress levels in check, and do not smoke.

Unlike the flu and COVID-19, there is no vaccine against the common cold.

Although some products on the market claim to prevent colds, no scientific studies have definitively proven their efficacy. The best way to keep colds at bay is to follow the preventive measures described above.

Is There a Way to Get Over a Cold Faster? 

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a quick miracle fix for shaking off a cold. As the old saying goes: “A treated cold lasts 7 days and an untreated cold lasts a week.”

Your immune system needs time to fight the virus. And while it’s doing that, there are a few things you can do to relieve your symptoms:

• Get lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids to avoid getting dehydrated and to liquify your nasal discharge.
• Use a saline solution to clear your nasal cavities and relieve congestion and runny nose. You can prepare a homemade saline solution by adding 2 teaspoons of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda to 4 cups of water that has been brought to the boil for 3 minutes and allowed to cool. The mix can be kept in the fridge for 7 days or at room temperature for 24 hours. Ask your health professional for advice on the appropriate nasal irrigation technique.
• Use honey to soothe coughs and a sore throat. Honey can be added to hot herbal teas or water. Studies have shown that honey may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the throat. However, it should not be given to infants under the age of one year as they are at risk of developing botulism.

If your cold symptoms are making your life miserable, you may wish to take an over-the-counter medication. Always ask your pharmacist for advice before purchasing these products, and read the directions for use and manufacturer warnings carefully. Cold medications can interact with other medications and can also have side effects. It is best to choose a product that contains only one agent to treat a specific symptom. Remember, antibiotics have no effect on the common cold.  

Have Any Natural Products Been Proven Effective? 

Studies on natural health products are often contradictory, as some may demonstrate benefits, while others reveal them to be ineffective.

For example, a number of studies have shown that zinc could reduce the duration of the common cold by about one day, although not its intensity. Plus, to achieve any beneficial effect, you would need to take at least 75 mg of zinc a day, starting within 24 hours of the onset of the infection. At that dosage, zinc can cause nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth.

The findings of studies on Echinacea are also contradictory. At best, it may slightly ease the intensity of cold symptoms and reduce their duration by about one day. Echinacea treatment also needs to begin within 24 hours of the onset of the cold.

In the general population, a daily dose of vitamin C is ineffective at reducing the frequency of colds. According to some studies, it may help prevent colds among people who are physically active at an intense level or who are exposed to very cold temperatures. However, daily intake of vitamin C has been linked to several harmful side effects that limit its usefulness.

To recap, for most people in good health, a cold is merely an annoying yet benign infection. There is no need to see a doctor unless your symptoms persist or worsen after more than 10 days. People with chronic health problems, however, should remain vigilant and consult their care team more promptly if their condition worsens.

If you need advice on how to relieve a cold, the team at your pharmacy will be happy to help. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Pharmacy services

If you need advice on how to relieve a cold, the team at your family pharmacist will be happy to help. Don’t hesitate to ask!