Dr. Chris Steele answers questions about how coughs, colds and flu and how they affect and ways to prevent them this winter.

Dr. Chris Steele answers questions about coughs, colds and flu.

Winter complaints: coughs, colds and flu

Q.What is a common cold?

A. The common cold, or coryza to give it its medical name, is a virus infection resulting in the inflammation of the lining of the nose and throat. This lining is known as a mucous membrane, which will produce `mucus' in response to the attack by viruses. Almost 200 viruses are known to cause the symptoms of the common cold, which is why we have not been able to develop a specific anti cold vaccine.

The symptoms of the common cold are a stuffy and/or runny nose, sneezing, which sometimes can be acccompanied by a slight fever, watery eyes, headache, sore throat and feeling slightly unwell. An ordinary cold usually lasts about 5 to 7 days, but can spread to other parts producing laryngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis or otitis media (ear infection). A simple common cold rarely leaves any serious after effects.

Q. Why do we get more colds in the winter months?

A. The cold viruses are not neccessarily more numerous in the winter, but we are more prone to picking them up, because we tend to spend more time indoors, so that we are closer to each other. An infected person spreads the cold viruses, from their mouth and nasal passages, by coughing or sneezing tiny droplets, which are laden with these viruses into the air and onto unsuspecting victims close by! A single sneeze can produce upto 5,000 droplets of mucus, travelling up to a distance of 13 feet!

During the winter, the air we breathe indoors is very dry due to heating and lack of ventilation. This dry air reduces the mucous membrane's ability to resist infection, and so we become more susceptible to attack by viruses and other organisms in the atmosphere.

Schoolchildren are particularly prone to catching colds, as they are exposed to many viruses for the first time, against which they have not yet developed any immunity. As they grow older, their immunity protects them, so that a young adult may only get two or three colds a year, and an old person gets one or none at all.

Q. What is the best way of treating a cold, and can colds be prevented?

A. There is no cure for the common cold, and it will be gone within a week. However, some people feel better using a simple cough linctus, decongestants or painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol. Some people swear by such remedies as honey and lemon drinks, hot toddies etc, which may ease the symptoms but don't actually alter the course of the cold. Basically, you should just keep warm, drink plenty fluids and eat light meals. There is no scientific reason to "Feed a cold and starve a fever!" With regard to preventing colds, the claim that Vitamin C is effective in large doses has not been scientifically proven.

Q. How does `flu' differ from a cold.

A. The symptoms of `flu' are similar to the common cold, but they are also more severe. There is a higher fever, along with marked aching of the muscle and bones. You feel weaker and more ill with flu, and it takes a bit longer to return to normal. It is not uncommon to feel quite weak and easily tired after a bout of flu. This is known as `post viral fatigue'.

Flu can be a serious condition especially in the elderly or in those with other illnesses. It can also kill, for example the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 killed millions of young adults around the world!

Q. Does the flu vaccine work, and who should be vaccinated?

A. Like the common cold, there are several viruses that cause influenza. Each year the flu vaccines are composed of those viruses which are considered most likely to be circulating in the approaching winter season. Protection is afforded against these specific strains of flu and therefore, immunisation is strongly recommended for certain groups of people, especially those who suffer from:
  • Longstanding lung disease, such as asthma and bronchitis
  • Longstanding heart disease
  • Longstanding kidney failure
  • Diabetes or other hormonal disorders

It is also recommended that residents of nursing homes and old peoples homes should be immunised, because rapid spread could occur once the infection started. Influenza in the elderly and the unwell can be a serious condition, and sometimes fatal in these `at risk' individuals.

The ideal time for immunisation is from early November onwards. If those in the `at risk' groups have not yet received their `flu jab', they can still be given the vaccine by their GP or practice nurse. Protection takes 10 to 14 days to develop and immunity can be expected to last through to next winter.


IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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