Health – Prepare for winter illnesses now

The United States is just ending a severe influenza (flu) season with hospitalisations caused by the flu virus at their highest in 15 years. While New Zealand does not always follow northern hemisphere trends, we should be mindful of them as we come into our winter months.

So how can you tell if you have a cold, the flu or even Covid? Colds symptoms usually appear gradually and may include a hacking or phlegmy cough, sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, mild headache, and sometimes slight aches, low grade fever and mild chest discomfort. Influenza or flu on the other hand comes on more suddenly and may include a dry, non-phlegmy cough, moderate to severe headache, high fever, moderate to severe tiredness, chest discomfort and severe aches. Covid symptoms are similar to the flu but may have less common symptoms such as loss of taste.

Another way to decipher which virus you have is to purchase a RAT test. The latest RAT tests available test for Covid as well as Influenza A and B, and also the RSV virus.

Your number one treatment for the flu is actually prevention! You can do this by getting a flu shot at the beginning of winter. You can get the flu vaccine for free if you are over 65, pregnant or have certain conditions. There is also a more effective, longer lasting flu vaccine available that is not funded. This season’s vaccines are now available at your local pharmacy or doctors.

If you already have the flu or have been exposed to the flu, you may wish to consider an antiviral , which will make the symptoms less severe and help you to get better sooner. This may be prescribed for you by your pharmacist or doctor, however it is not funded.

Symptoms such as fever, aches and pains can be treated with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. However, check with your pharmacist that this will not interact with any of your other medicines or medical conditions.

You can treat other symptoms with readily available medicines such as throat lozenges for sore throats, cough mixtures for coughs and nasal sprays for stuffy noses amongst other things. Your best bet is to check with your pharmacist about what might suit you. It is also good to check with the pharmacist that you don’t have a more serious bacterial infection and need a trip to the doctor.