Page 47 - Silver Lakes August Issue 2023

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

MAKING SENSE OF

OVER-THE-COUNTER

COLD AND FLU MEDICATION

ore people are choosing to interaction – even when it comes to natural three to five days, but you could feel weak
self-medicate their colds and or herbal treatments.” and tired for two to three weeks.”
Mflu than ever before, but with
hundreds of over-the-counter (OTC) Marli says that when you’re suffering from While most people will recover from a cold
remedies available at the pharmacy, how a cough and runny nose, it’s important to relatively quickly, the flu can lead to serious
do you know which one to buy? know whether you have a cold or flu as complications in those with suppressed
they often require different treatment. immune systems such as the elderly,
Marli Botha, OTC Product Manager at children or those suffering from a chronic
Pharma Dynamics, says there are more than “A cold usually comes on gradually, over the condition. So, these people should consult a
200 different cold and flu medicine brands course of a day or two. Symptoms typically doctor if symptoms persist after one week.
available today, which can make choosing include tiredness, sneezing, a runny or
the right treatment onerous. “While self- stuffy nose and coughing. You may not Marli warns that if you have a runny nose
medicating can save you time and money, have a fever, but when you do, it’s likely to and sore throat, medications that include
few consumers are familiar with the active only be slightly higher than normal. Colds an ingredient to control coughs should be
ingredients in medicines and how they usually last three to four days, but they can avoided. “Consumers need to make sure
could potentially interact with one another. linger for up to two weeks. they choose medications that treat only
For example, taking a nasal decongestant the symptoms they have and that they are
when you have high blood pressure may “In contrast, the flu comes on suddenly not taking medications they don’t need.
cause an unwanted reaction. and hits hard. You will feel weak and tired,
and could run a fever as high as 40°C. You’ll “The best way to make sure that you choose
“If you do you have an underlying condition experience aching muscles and are likely to the appropriate OTC medication to treat
or you are on chronic medication, then it’s feel cold the one minute and hot the next. a cold or flu is to understand the different
always best to check with the pharmacist The flu is often accompanied by a pounding active ingredients and the symptoms they
or your doctor regarding the risk of a drug headache and sore throat. A fever may last treat.”

INTRAMUROS AUGUST 2023 | 45