Colds and flu – an overview of the management

Colds and flu – an overview of the management

Halima Ismail, Natalie Schellack

The common cold and flu are two very different viruses that share very similar symptoms. The common cold is a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection and it is caused by the rhinovirus, coronavirus or the adenovirus. It usually resolves within 7-10 days. The flu is caused by the influenza virus and usually presents with headaches, myalgia, fever and body aches. There is no place for antibiotic usage in colds and flu and there is no clinical evidence which suggests that using antibiotics alters the course of the disease or prevents secondary infection. Treatment is mainly symptomatic and includes many over the counter medicines, antivirals and herbal treatment.

2017

coronavirus, Herbal Medicine, adenovirus, upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, rhinovirus, Flu, antivirals, over-the-counter medicine, colds

10.4102/safp.v59i3.4704

South African Family Practice

AOSIS

Medicine