27/11/2025
Darker days means we typically make a beeline for warm, cosy, indoor spaces and this environment is perfect for viruses! It is also when children get back to school and nursery after October holidays, and this is a petri dish for viruses and germs circulating. The same applies to freshers in university halls.
Is it Cold, Flu or Covid?
Colds:
- Symptoms appear gradually
- Mostly affect nose and throat
- Chestier, mucus cough
- Early sign, pressure in ears
Flu:
- Comes on suddenly
- Feel wiped out
- Fever, muscle aches, exhaustion
- Need bed rest
- Dry cough
Covid:
- Typical flu symptoms
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhoea or tummy upset
Many of the symptoms between cold, flu and covid overlap. If a colds coming on, then it often does so gradually. It is going to affect your nose and back of your throat, some will get a tickling at the back of the mouth. If the virus spreads, it can reach your lungs and cause an irritating cough. Mostly, these symptoms do not stop us from carrying on as normal.
The same cannot be said for flu, which typically adds aches, fever and muscle weakness into the mix. Covid has very similar symptoms to flu but one key covid specific identifier can be the loss of taste or smell. As new variants, Stratus and Nimbus spike this winter, a razor sharp sore throat and diarrhoea are also common.
The recommendation is to stay at home, rest, hydrate and recover. Antibiotics DO NOT treat these viruses. However, if you have underlying conditions, experience breathlessness or finds symptoms do not ease after three weeks then we would like to see you.
Our bodies naturally fight viruses and infection, but we can help them with the right medication. Your pharmacist can help to advise you on this.
- Paracetamol: provided you are ok to take it, this or ibuprofen is recommended medication. Both are good for helping bring down a fever and easing any pain you may have. But remember, lots of cough and cold mixtures include traces of Paracetamol so be sure you are not accidently taking too much
We would request that if you do need to make an appointment to see a clinician with a respiratory, or flu like, illness at the moment that you wear a mask in the health centre to avoid spreading to others.
