With the flu season upon us, many South Africans would be flocking into pharmacies seeking flu and cold medication. Common colds and flu are caused by viruses and every year this time, millions across the country get infected. If you happen to develop a cold, the best thing is to take care of yourself. Stay home, get lots of rest and ensure you drink more fluids than you usually do.
If you have a cold or flu, what is the best remedy? Homemade remedies or over-the-counter medicine?
For some, homemade remedies have worked for them throughout the years but for those unsure, it is important to speak to a local pharmacist as to which medication is best for you based on the symptoms you have.
Here are some of the best OTC medicines you can purchase:
Zinc lozenges have proven to reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Studies claim that zinc lozenges or syrup reduced the length of a cold by one day, especially when taken within 24 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.
Vicks VapoRub has been around for hundreds of years and has been used as a cold reliever from generation to generation. Vicks ActaPlus Cough Syrup provides 2-in-1 relief from dry cough & wet cough associated with colds and influenza.
Abigail Courtenay, a Johannesburg-based registered dietician, recommends taking about 200mg of vitamin C daily to help fight colds during winter.
“This dose may slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms,” she says,
adding that if you’re an athlete or experience extreme physical stress, it may reduce the incidence of colds by as much as 50%, as the above study showed.
However, a higher dose of vitamin C (1 to 8g/day) once a cold is already present doesn’t appear to be beneficial on duration or severity of symptoms when compared to a placebo, she says, also noting that the therapeutic use of vitamin C has not been studied in children.
Antihistamines
If you have a runny nose, postnasal drip, or itchy, watery eyes -- then an antihistamine may be helpful for your flu symptoms. Antihistamines block the effect of "histamine," and help relieve such annoying symptoms as sneezing, itching, and nasal discharge. One should note that Antihistamines don’t cure allergies but provide only relief.
Pain relievers
Pain relievers such as aspirin are helpful when bringing the fever down.
If you can’t afford to get over-the-counter medicine, you can try these homemade remedies to nurse your cold:
Chicken soup can keep your body warm.
Take a hot shower twice a day to steam it up.
If you have a sore throat, gargling warm water with salt can soothe a scratchy throat.
Lemon can also help as it contains a lot of vitamin C.
If you happen to catch a cold this Autumn or Winter, please stay home from work to avoid infecting other people. It is advisable to stay home for 2 to 3 days whilst the virus is still contagious. It is suggested that most people recover from the virus a week later, but coughing may last for a week or two depending on person to person.
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