SHARES
We experience quite commonly, particularly during the wet rainy and cold season, respiratory flu like symptoms such as cough, dry itchy throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, aches, headaches and even fever.
Viruses are usually the main cause of most respiratory illnesses or common cold syndromes.. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. Your doctor would not prescribe antibiotics unless there is bacterial infection or risk of a secondary bacterial infection.
Rhinoviruses with more than 100 serotypes are the most common virus, causing at least 25% of colds in adults. Coronaviruses may be responsible for more than 10% of cases.
Parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses and influenza viruses have all been linked to the common cold syndrome. All of these organisms show seasonal variations in incidence. The cause of 30% to 40% of cold syndromes has not been determined.
In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is always comforting to know what to do when hit with flu like respiratory symptoms. Is this just a common cold, flu and nothing more serious like a coronavirus infection? How can I sensibly manage the situation?
Manage Respiratory Symptoms, Take Precautions against COVID-19
Here a friendly nurse, doctor and pharmacist have these suggestions that you might find helpful to manage mild common respiratory symptoms and to know when you must not delay going to a doctor or hospital.
- Take paracetamol if your fever exceeds 38°c, or if you need to relieve your headache, body aches and pain. Take Paracetamol and not Ibuprofen.
- 3 cardinal rules -Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of water.
- Rest a lot at home. Do not leave your house. Observe safe distancing of at least 1.5 meters apart. Do not hug, kiss or shake hands.
- Wear a mask to prevent passing bug to others, when you cough and sneeze.
- Avoid mingling with and being near the older people, in particular those over age 70, and those with existing health conditions till you have fully recovered.
When is it necessary for me to go to hospital?
Actually if you have mild symptoms, quarantine yourself at home. If you have no serious symptoms OR no underlying health problems, you do not need to go to the hospital. More than 80% of healthy adults with respiratory infections of a mild nature, can be managed at home with home rest, good hydration and over the counter medicine to manage symptoms. The illness will run its course and you recover in a week or two. The KEY is disciplined self-quarantine to prevent further transmission.
If you are WORRIED AND IN DOUBT, visit your GP but remember to wear your mask when you venture out. In Malaysia, Qualitas Health offer a COVID-19 test at home, for those who prefer to stay home but yet want to have the peace of mind.
HOWEVER, if you are have trouble breathing, feel breathless or have tightness of the chest OR your fever is very high (over 39°C), OR have a pre-existing lung condition (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, emphysema where air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, lung cancer) OR are on immunosuppressants, consult your Doctor or specialist or go to the ER room immediately.
In summary, seek medical help immediately in any of such situations:
- trouble breathing, feel breathless or tightness of the chest
- fever is very high (over 39°C
- have pre-existing lung conditions
- on immunosuppressants
A note for people with pre-existing lung conditions, it is also a time whilst you are still well to ask your doctor and specialist what they would like you to do if you do get sick with respiratory illness.
Further reads:
Worried about Covid-19? How can I Prepare myself before Symptoms hit?
Disclaimer:
Important: The authors, reviewers, and editors of GetDocSays have made extensive and reasonable efforts to ensure that medical information published are accurate and conform to the standards accepted at the time of publication. They reflect the opinions and views of the contributors and not the publisher.
The information on this site is not intended to be professional advice and is not intended to replace personal consultation with a qualified physician, dentist, pharmacist, or other health care professional. The reader should not disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of something found on this site.
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by Wong Mei Chan
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