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    Home  >  blog   >  FLU Facts: Flu Vs Cold and How Doctor on Call Can Help
    FLU Facts - Flu vs Cold and How Doctor on Call Can Help

    FLU Facts: Flu Vs Cold and How Doctor on Call Can Help

    How do you know whether you have flu or cold? It is easy to confuse the two. You might have a stuffy nose, sore throat, and a headache. You could be having either of the two, but you can’t be sure. Unless your doctor runs a comprehensive test using a cotton swab at the back of your throat, it is not advisable to self-diagnose.

    Healthcare providers in the UAE urge people to be cautious, especially during flu seasons. A home healthcare clinic is convenient because children spread flu from school to other family members. This means that you don’t have to visit a health facility because you will receive medical care from your home. However, don’t decide to wait it out because if left untreated, this disease can progress to other serious illnesses.

    Flu Vs Cold

    It is not advisable to assume that you have a cold when you have the flu. But how do you distinguish between cold and flu symptoms? Before understanding the difference, you ought to know that both are caused by viruses and are respiratory infections.

    If you have a cold, you are going to experience the following symptoms:

    • Stuffy/runny nose
    • Mild tiredness
    • Sneezing
    • Sore Throat
    • Cough
    • Body aches or headache

    Flu Symptoms include:

    • Sore Throat
    • Dry Cough
    • Shaking Chills
    • Moderate to high fever, although you might not experience this symptom
    • Severe body or muscle aches
    • Headache
    • Nausea and Vomiting, and diarrhea which is common in kids
    • Stuffy and Runny Nose

    Colds appear slowly over several days and are mildly compared to flu. They can easily clear up after 7-10 days, although sometimes it might take up to 2 weeks. On the other hand, flu comes quickly, is severe, and lasts up to 1-2 weeks.

    How a Doctor on Call Can Help with Flu

    Flu is a respiratory illness, and unlike a cold, which can get you at any time, influenza (flu) is seasonal. A home healthcare clinic can help you to recover at the convenience of your home. The following are ways a doctor can help you whenever you have flu. Remember that the physician will treat you, depending on your symptoms.

    Decongestants

    A home healthcare clinic is effective because the physician will visit your home to administer treatment. A decongestant can either be nasal or oral sprays, which are used to deal with swelling in the nasal pathways. The physician will prescribe a nasal decongestant for a few days because prolonged use can rebound symptoms.

    Decongestants constrict blood vessels and tissues; this is why the physician will ask whether you have heart conditions, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These drugs can cause some folks to feel jittery or have insomnia. This is why the doctor will advise you to avoid caffeine when taking the medication.

    Antihistamine

    If you have symptoms such as watery or itchy eyes, have a postnasal drip, or a runny nose, your physician will administer an antihistamine. There are different types of antihistamines, for instance, tablets, capsules, nasal sprays, and liquids. Your home healthcare clinic specialist might advise you to take an antihistamine that causes drowsiness before bed as opposed to during the day. Refrain from getting over-the-counter antihistamines, because you never know whether they will interact with the other medications you are currently taking. Talk to your physician if you have a heart condition, thyroid problem, blood pressure, liver/kidney disease, and bladder obstruction. Also, consult with your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant.

    Analgesics

    This type of medication is used to relieve pain caused by flu. Acetaminophen is the most common type of analgesic used today. It helps in pain relief by transforming how our bodies react and perceive pain. You ought to find a qualified home healthcare clinic physician because he will make accurate diagnosis and treatment. For instance, he will not administer Aspirin as it increases the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome, which does not only affect the whole body, but it is most damaging to the liver and heart.

    Nasal Steroids

    Nasal steroids help to treat respiratory tract infections by fighting inflammation on the throat and nose lining. The best thing about nasal steroids is that they might relieve other symptoms of the common cold. Your home healthcare clinic specialist will prescribe nasal steroids to relieve sinus pressure and a runny nose.

    Expectorants

    Cough expectorants are effective; however, they work differently based on their active ingredients. An expectorant is one of the active ingredients and its roles include loosening and clearing mucus and phlegm from the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

    When you have flu, the airways leading to the lungs get infected, which forms mucus causing blockage. This can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. The expectorant thins the mucus, breaking down fluids that cause congestion and cleaning thick music from the airwaves. This makes it easier to cough up the mucus.

    Lozenges

    Throat lozenges come in different flavors, and they help to relieve sore throats. When you suck on a lozenge it dissolves and releases medicine. It is created to dissolve slowly in your mouth, which lubricates and soothes irritated tissues at the back of your throat.

    You will find out that some lozenges have medication, which helps to ease the irritation; others contain menthol or eucalyptus, which soothes and cool the throat. There are those that have honey which is a natural medication and helps to suppress coughs. Your home healthcare clinic physician might prescribe lozenges with antibacterial properties and painkillers.

    Flu Vaccination

    You can get flu vaccination either through a nasal spray or a shot. This treatment works by exposing your immune system flu viruses then your body responds by building antibodies to fight the flu. A flu shot is made of dead flu virus while the nasal spray is made of live but weakened flu viruses.

    Remember that you can get Flu shots at any GMCCLINICS branches. In case you already have the flu, you can always call 800462362 for doctor on call service which is available for 365 days a year, 24/7.

    Most people confuse flu and cold symptoms because they are almost similar. It is advisable to seek medical attention rather than self-medicating because it can cause drug interaction. There are different forms of treating flu, but it depends on your symptoms.