Struggling with symptoms of the common cold? Sick of dealing with your sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing fits?
Although we can get sick any time of year, we’re more likely than ever to succumb to this highly contagious respiratory illness during the winter months.
But just because it’s common, that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it!
Here are our tips on how to treat your symptoms of a cold so you feel better, how to tell the difference between a cold and COVID and what you can find in your local Whitworth Pharmacy to help.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?
The symptoms of a cold usually come on gradually and usually include:
A scratchy sore throat
Runny nose or sneezing
Blocked nose
Post-nasal drip
Watery eyes
Headache
A cough
Pressure in your ears or sinuses
A low-grade fever (below 38.9°C)
Fatigue
Chills
Body aches
Difficulty breathing
It usually takes just a week or two to recover completely from a cold.
Is it really a cold or actually COVID?
When the coronavirus first started, it was more straightforward to identify it. Tell-tale signs included a new continuous cough, a fever, and a loss of or change to smell or taste.
However, since the appearance of the omicron variant, it’s harder to distinguish between the two. In fact, it’s estimated that around 50% of positive COVID cases present much the same symptoms as a cold.
So how do you tell the difference? It’s tricky. Symptoms of omicron are reported to include:
Runny nose
Headache
Fatigue (either mild or severe)
Sneezing
Sore throat
Fever
If you have a fever, this could be a key warning sign to get tested for COVID. If you have any doubts whatsoever, it’s important to get a test. Even if you don’t feel too poorly, your actions could save lives.
What can you take to ease your cold symptoms?
Presuming that you do indeed have a cold, there are many effective medicines you can use to ease your symptoms and continue with your day. Here’s our pick of the best:
For sore throats…
[Shop now]
For coughs…
[Shop now]
For headaches, fevers and general relief…
For stuffy noses…
[Shop now]
If you want to recover faster, you should also keep warm, get plenty of rest and sleep, drink plenty of liquids and eat a diet rich in fresh veggies and fruit.
Visit your local Whitworth Pharmacy for more help and advice on the right cold treatments for you. If you don’t have time to come and say hello, why not head to our online store today for easy shopping and free home delivery?
You can also read our free guide “Whitworth Cold and Flu Guide: Staying Fighting Fit in Winter” for more information.
