Colds and Flu Flashcards
Define colds and flu
mixture of viral upper respiratory tract infections
self-limiting, but OTCs are available for symptomatic relief
Cold and flu treatment timescale
With treatment should resolve within 10-14 days
Symptoms of colds and flu
runny/blocked nose (rhinorrhoea)
sneezing/coughing
headaches
high temperature
sore throat: dry and sore (first signs of a cold)
earache with complication of acute otitis media common in children
facial pain/frontal headache (may signify sinusitis)
In cold and flu, what are headaches due to?
inflammation and congestion of nasal passage and sinuses
BUT if persisting/worsening frontal headache, may be sinusitis
Referral criteria for colds and flu
Persistent high temperature, fever or productive cough
Difficulty breathing/wheezing
heart/lung disease- COPD, asthma, heart disease, compromised immune system, kidney disease
Symptoms not going away after 2 weeks
Earache not settling with analgesic
Been abroad within past year
Pleural-type chest pain (sharp pain that worsens on breathing)
refer all children under 6, elderly and pregnant/breastfeeding women
Lifestyle advice for colds and flu
- Flu likely if >38 degrees Celsius or >37.5 in elderly
- Minimum of one respiratory symptom or minimum of one constitutional symptom (headache/malaise)
- It starts abruptly, with sweats and chills, muscular aches, pain in limbs, dry sore throat, cough and high temperature
- sometimes bedbound
- encourage flu vaccinations
- target those >65yrs using PMRs for flu vaccination
- reducing transmission: routine hand washing, hand sanitizers
cold and flu types of medication
Simple analgesics Oral decongestants Antihistamine Inhalants Mixture
Paracetamol and ibuprofen for cold and flu symptoms directions warnings/counselling patient populations
Pain relief Reduces high temperature, aches and pains 2 tablets PRN up to QDS No more than 4 doses in 24 hour period Suitable for children over 10yrs Suitable in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Lemsip cold and lemon
active ingredients
indication
Sympathomimetics - pseudoephedrine
for nasal congestion
paracetamol
Lemsip directions
side effects
1 sachet dissolved in water every 4-6 hours No more than 4 doses in 24 hours Side effects: CNS effects: insomnia, especially with ephedrine can increase BP and blood glucose levels
Lemsip warnings/counselling
Rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound nasal congestion) can occur with topical preparations
Caution in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism
Serious DDI with MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants
Lemsip patient populations
> 12yrs only
Not suitable for pregnancy but fine in breastfeeding
Benylin 4 flu tablets
active ingredient(s)
symptoms
Antihistamine: diphenydramine
runny nose, sneezing, cough, headaches
Also helps sleep
Antitussive (suppress cough)
Benylin 4 flu tablets
Side effects
Drowsiness (chlorphenamine) Dry mouth Blurred vision Constipation Urinary retention
Benylin 4 flu tablets
warnings
counselling
patient populations
Not to be taken with alcohol
Caution in epilepsy, liver disease, prostatic hypertrophy and closed-angle glaucoma
Sedating are anti-muscarinic: not for those driving, operators or machinery at work
For >6 only
Suitable in breastfeeding
Fine in pregnancy if on doctor’s advice
