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We've got your back with cold and flu. If you are unsure of what your symptoms may mean, read more on the NHS website

How cold and flu affects you How cold and flu affects you

How Cold & Flu Affects You

If you had to choose a symptom that best described a cold or flu, it would be easy to say a blocked nose, a sore throat or a fever. However, what we often overlook is that these symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg. Our day-to-day symptoms also affect our concentration at work and our everyday life.

Our immune system’s response to the virus can affect us from head to toe, and lead us to experience symptoms in many different areas of the body. Here are just a few of the most common signs of cold and flu.

Your Symptoms Checklist

Sore throat

A painful, scratchy or dry throat that makes it hard to swallow is often the first sign that a cold is on its way.

Sneezing

Sneezing is the body’s way of keeping the nose free from dust, viruses and bacteria and helps to keep us healthy.

Blocked nose

With a cold or flu, you may feel blocked up over the first few days and this nasal congestion usually gets worse over the first week.

Runny nose

A thin, watery discharge from the nose is often an early symptom. Over time, you may notice the discharge change colour to yellow, or even green.

Cough

A niggling cough is a common symptom that can last for several weeks. In the first few days you may have a dry, tickly cough as your throat becomes irritated. Over the next few days, this may develop into a productive or chesty cough, as the infection spreads and your body begins to produce more mucus.

Headache

Headaches are common with a cold or flu. As your immune system tries to fight back against the virus this causes inflammation or swelling in the sinus cavities, often resulting in a headache.

Chills

A fever may be followed by a feeling of chilliness.

Fever

The first sign of the flu is often a high temperature. While fever is a common symptom for children with colds, it is rare in adults suffering with a cold.

Tiredness/weakness/fatigue

In the first few days of a flu, you may feel weak and washed out as your body fights the virus on several different fronts. You may also find that your appetite has decreased.

Aching limbs

Muscle aches and joint pain often go hand in hand with flu and occasionally with a cold. They’re a sign that your immune system is releasing chemicals to help fight off the infection.

Cold v Flu: And How To Tell The Difference

Your head is aching, your throat is sore and you can’t stop sneezing?

Is this just a cold or the beginning of the flu? Our easy to use checklist allows you to quickly spot the differences.

Colds

Typically develop slowly and may produce the following symptoms:

  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Blocked nose
  • Coughing
  • Headache
  • Lethargy
  • Cough

These symptoms are generally at their worst after 2 to 3 days, and usually last 7-10 days

Flu

Typically starts suddenly and may share many of the symptoms of a cold. Flu can also be recognised by the following symptoms:

  • Rapid onset of fever
  • Weakness
  • Muscle aches/ pains
  • Loss of appetite

Although cold & flu may share many similar symptoms, 8 out of 10 times having a cough and a fever together is a sign that you may have the flu.

The good news is that although there isn’t a cure for cold or flu, there are things we can do to make life a little easier. Drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest, taking the right medication and eating healthily can all help you to get your spark back.

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The Beechams range includes Powders, Cold & Flu Hot Powder for oral solution range, Cold & Flu Capsules, Breathe Clear Hot Honey & Lemon Menthol Flavour Powder for Oral Solution, Flu Plus Hot Lemon, Flu Plus Caplets, All in One Tablets, All in One liquid, Max Strength All in One Capsules. For cold & flu relief. Always read the label.

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