Cough, Cold & Flu

Common Questions

Q : Does cold and wet weather cause a cold or flu?

A : No. You can only get a cold or flu if you are exposed to a virus from someone who is infected. You can only pick up the virus if the infected person coughs or sneezes on you, or you shake hands with the person, or touch a contaminated surface, and then touch your eyes or nose.

Q : When should I see my doctor?

A : A cold can sometimes lead to other infections such as sinus and ear infections, laryngitis or bronchitis. A flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. Consult your doctor if a cold or flu lasts longer than 10 days, or you start to experience the following symptoms with your flu: breathlessness, disorientation or faintness, or if your cough produces bloody sputum.

Q : What is the difference between a cold and flu?

A : Both are caused by viruses and many symptoms are similar. However, there are some typical flu symptoms that usually do not show up with great severity when one has a simple cold. These are moderate to severe headaches, body aches, high fever that lasts up to 4 days and extreme fatigue.

Q : What is causing my cough?

A : A cough is caused by foreign substances that irritate the respiratory tract and lungs. A cold or flu virus are the most common irritants. If the throat or lung passages are irritated, they narrow. This alerts the cough centre in the brain to expel large amounts of air by tightening chest muscles and releasing air from the lungs in the form of a cough.

Q : How do I know which over-the-counter medication to take?

A : The most important thing to do before you make a trip to the pharmacy is to work out what your cold or flu symptoms are, and look for remedies that contain the medicines you need. Avoid taking medicines for symptoms that you do not have. Whenever you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are painkillers that will relieve headaches, sore throat and body aches. They will also bring down a fever. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a decongestant for congested nasal passages. Chlorpheniramine maleate or diphenhydramine hydrochloride are antihistamines that prevent a runny nose or nasal drip. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is a cough suppressant for a dry cough. Nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride or xylometazoline hydrochloride relieve nasal congestion.

Q : I went to the doctor for some antibiotics for my cold and he refused to give them to me. Why was that?

A : Antibiotics do not work for colds because they only kill bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses.