Colds, flu: When to see a doctor?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Huy Nhat - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital

Colds and flu are both caused by viruses, because of some similar symptoms, the two diseases are often confused with each other, but these are two completely different diseases, the flu is usually more severe and lasts longer. better than a cold.

Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses, with Rhinovirus being the most common cause. Anyone will catch a cold at some point in their life, epidemiological studies show that if a person lives to age 75, he or she can catch up to 200 colds in a lifetime. Children often get colds more often than adults, each year children can get 4-8 colds. When people have a cold, they will have symptoms such as sore throat, cough with phlegm, runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, low fever. The disease usually clears up on its own after 3-4 days.

Are colds contagious? The cold virus can be transmitted, but the infection is not easy, it needs certain conditions before the cold virus can enter the body to cause illness. The transmission of a cold usually occurs only when there is too frequent contact for a long time with an infected person.
Influenza is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by infection with influenza viruses. When having a cold, the patient often has symptoms of high fever, chills, chills, headache, dizziness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sneezing, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, and body aches. ache.
Usually, compared with a cold, flu symptoms usually last longer, with some typical symptoms such as fever (sometimes up to 39-400C), muscle aches, chills, shivering. During a cold, the patient usually only has a mild fever, cough, runny nose, and quickly recovers.

In most cases, colds and flu will be treated at home without going to the hospital. Although flu causes many symptoms that make patients tired and uncomfortable, it is still a benign disease, the disease will clear up on its own after 5-7 days. However, patients need to go to medical facilities to be examined by a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish it from other dangerous forms of flu.
There is no specific treatment for colds and flu, patients will be given Paracetamol to reduce fever and some other drugs to treat symptoms of sore throat, sneezing, runny nose,... should spend more time resting, should choose a quiet, cool place, avoid lying in an air-conditioned room because it will aggravate the symptoms of dry neck, hoarseness, loss of voice. Because flu is a contagious disease, people with flu should limit contact with others, especially those with weak resistance such as the elderly, young children, people with chronic diseases. When needing to go out, people with flu should wear a medical mask, cover their mouth and nose when coughing to avoid spreading the disease to others.
Should enhance nutrition for people with colds and flu. Cold dishes such as perilla porridge, chicken soup, ginger tea, honey-lemongrass juice have very good effects. For patients to drink ORS to rehydrate and electrolytes, orange juice has a lot of Vitamin C to increase resistance. In addition, steaming with leaves such as lemongrass, grapefruit leaves, lemon leaves, wormwood, chrysanthemums, ... helps to sleep well, reduce symptoms, relieve colds.

If a cold and flu lasts for more than a week, has a high fever, uses fever-reducing drugs but is not effective, sore throat area is sore, prolonged cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, fatigue, etc. the patient should quickly go to medical facilities for treatment because the patient may have a superinfection with the virus, the flu can cause respiratory complications or the flu promotes the exacerbation of those who have been infected. pre-existing chronic disease.
To prevent colds and flu, you should wash your hands often, practice sports, eat a balanced and varied diet, drink lots of water, eat lots of green vegetables to increase resistance. There is currently no vaccine for colds, but there are vaccines for influenza, and the composition of the annual flu vaccine is adjusted according to WHO recommendations.
Vaccination Influenza vaccine is one of the effective preventive measures suitable for all subjects, especially those who are at increased risk of getting the flu, such as people with chronic diseases (cardiovascular, renal failure, etc.) diabetes), immunocompromised people, children and adolescents (ages 6 months to 18 years). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC recommends that children 6 months of age and older receive a yearly flu shot with any age-appropriate licensed influenza vaccine and child's health status.
Vaccine Center - Vinmec Times City International Clinic and Vinmec International Hospital and Clinic provide flu vaccination services. The advantages of vaccination at Vinmec include:
A team of specialists examines and screens for all physical and health problems. Advice on preventive vaccines, injection regimens, how to monitor and care for children after vaccination before giving an indication for vaccination. 100% of vaccinated customers are monitored 30 minutes after injection and reassessed before leaving. Undertake medical supervision before, during and after vaccination at Vinmec Health System and always have an emergency team ready to coordinate with the vaccination department to handle cases of anaphylaxis, respiratory failure - circulatory arrest, ensuring Ensure timely and correct handling when incidents occur. The vaccination room is cool, clean and quiet. Vaccines are imported and stored in a modern cold storage system, with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, keeping vaccines in the best conditions to ensure quality. Parents will receive a reminder message before the vaccination date and their child's vaccination information will be synchronized with the national immunization information system. If there is a need for individual vaccinations or a package of vaccines, please contact the hotline of Vinmec Hospitals or Clinics nationwide.