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
Olbas oil, Vicks vapour rub
API
directions
Patient populations
Inhalant menthol, peppermint oil blocked nose and sinuses 2-3 drops on handkerchief or mix in water and inhale If 3months-2yrs: 1 drop Suitable in pregnancy, breastfeeding Ok for >3months of age
Night nurse liquid
APIs
paracetamol
promethazne hydrochloride
dextromethorphan
hydrobromide
Night nurse liquid
symptoms
tickly cough and sore throat runny nose aches and pains fevers and shivers Helps have comfortable, restful sleep
Night nurse side effects
GI disturbances Drowsiness Dry mouth Blurred vision Allergic reaction
Night nurse warnings
This contains paracetamol so don’t take paracetamol on top of this
Phaeochromocytoma
If you are taking certain medicaitons (see other question)
Night nurse patient populations
> 12yrs only
Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding
Night nurse medications not suitable to take with
antidepressants antipsychotics Hypnotics Antihypertensives Cardiac glycosides Antiemetics Oral contraceptives Antiepileptics Cholesterol drugs/statins Anticoagulants any other cold or cough medicine
Sudafed day and night (colds and flu)
symptoms
Directions
Pain relief, decongestant
Red/yellow=day
blue=night
Sudafed day and night directions
warnings
populations
2 capsule every 4-6 hours 2 capsules at bedtime 4 hours between doses Day capsule contains caffeine >12 years only Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding (double check this)
