Everyone has it sometimes: a cold or the flu. Are there antibiotics against the virus? Read here what helps against flu and colds. What tips are there for a blocked nasal passage, a closed ear during a cold, sore throat, shortness of breath during flu and fever?

What is the difference between a cold and flu

Cold is a more common term than ‘acute viral nasopharyngitis’, which means infection of the respiratory tract (nose/throat) by a virus. Flu is the description of symptoms associated with a bad cold (influenza). With a cold there is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose, sinuses and throat.

Cold symptoms: nasal passage congestion, fever, ear plugging, sore throat and more

Symptoms of a cold include sore throat, coughing, fever, headache, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and feeling of pressure on the jaws. There may be a blocked nasal passage, a closed ear when you have a cold, a lot of snot and a sore throat when you have a cold.

Flu symptoms: very high fever, shortness of breath and more

In addition to the above symptoms of a cold, flu can also cause a very high fever, feeling quite ill and severe coughing. There may also be shortness of breath with the flu.

Two weeks of coughing: how long does a cold last?

A cold can last a maximum of around two weeks. Much more often it takes five days to a week. School-age children can catch a cold up to twelve times a year, while for adults this number is approximately two to four per year. The ears are no longer closed with a cold, the nasal cavity is no longer clogged, the snot is gone and the sore throat is over with the end of the cold.Once the virus is “defeated,” the person is immune to that version of the flu or that specific virus. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of versions of viruses that can cause the flu, and we are not all immune to them.

Frequent colds: the cause of colds and flu

Getting a cold can have various causes. Cooling is sometimes mentioned as a cause, or, for example, inhaling virus particles from another person.

Why do some people get colds a lot?

In winter and cold, people get the flu more often. This may be due to the temperature, but another explanation is the reduced exposure to the outside air and sun. The virus can also spread more easily if people sit together more and are indoors (in closed, warm spaces).The viruses spread quite easily through the exhaled air that is inhaled by others. People in poorly ventilated areas (tram, bus, train, office, school or daycare center, for example) are therefore at a somewhat greater risk. It can take 2 to 3 days for someone to actually recover after being infected with a cold virus.People over 65 have an increased risk of catching a cold. / Source: Serpentino, Rgbstock

Antibiotics against cold viruses or other remedies?

Claims from the pharmaceutical industry and alternative medicine state that colds cannot be prevented or cured by antibiotics against a cold virus. It is uncertain whether the duration of the cold can be shortened, but the symptoms can be controlled so that people suffer less from them. Antibiotics can work well against the symptoms of a cold or flu.

Which people are more likely to get a cold or flu?

People with heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney patients and people over 65 years of age generally have a slightly increased risk of catching a cold. These people are recommended by the RIVM to be vaccinated annually (flu shot) because they are prone to catching colds.

What helps against flu and colds and how do you prevent getting them?

The following tips will help prevent a cold or flu:

• Wash hands regularly.
• Having a good physical condition.
• Plenty of fresh outside air.
• Enough sleep.
• Eating enough fruits and vegetables.
• Overall good hygiene.
• Risk groups are recommended to be vaccinated.

Blocked nasal cavity, closed ears, fever and sore throat: cold tips!

The following cold tips will hopefully help with a quick recovery:

• Lots of bed rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids (water or fruit juices). Dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea or alcohol are not conducive to a cold. Milk can cause more mucus formation in the nose and cavities.
• If you are not hungry, try to eat easily digestible food such as soup, rice, chicken, etc.
• Chicken soup is often used for colds. The steam released from the soup helps relieve nasal and sinus congestion. It also reduces mucus formation in the nose and lungs, for example.

Chicken soup, the best soup for a cold. / Source: Lusi, Rgbstock

• Prevent others from catching a cold and cough with a hand or tissue over your mouth.
• Also wash your hands regularly.
• Nasal drops for a stuffy nose.
• Gargle with salt water (teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water) for a sore throat. Salt drops are also available at drugstores and pharmacies.
• Xylometazoline nasal drops or sprays can be used to reduce congestion in the nasal passages and other cavities. This may be used up to 3 times a day for a maximum of one week. With longer use it can damage the mucous membranes.
• Listening to the body is always wise, even when you have a cold. Getting rid of the flu is necessary to prevent possible fatigue complaints that can persist for up to a year later.
• Stay at a stable, pleasant temperature as much as possible: this way the body can optimally fight the virus and does not have to work extra hard.
• Grapefruit works better for colds than other (too sweet) citrus fruits and helps with the functioning of the liver.

Grapefruit, the best fruit for a cold / Source: Gesinek, Rgbstock

• Spicy foods help loosen mucus.
• A steam bath (chamomile, eucalyptus or thyme) can help loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.
• A combination of (half teaspoon) honey and (half teaspoon) lemon juice works well against cough.
• Reducing stress is very important in case of a cold. Stress is an attack on the immune system, which now has better things to do.
• Suck on sweets or licorice to keep the throat lubricated.
• Switch toothbrushes or put it in the microwave (10 seconds) to kill bacteria.
• You can also sneeze into your elbow: this keeps your hands clean. This is more hygienic for others and the person himself.
• Open a window in the room where people sit a lot to ensure good ventilation.
• Hum! Humming helps with ventilation and circulation of the nasal passages. Scientists have shown that humming several times a day can help with or even prevent colds.
• Touch eyes, mouth and nose as little as possible with your hands.
• Cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membranes, so stay away from it.

Do antibiotics work against cold or flu viruses?

• Antibiotics do not help against colds. These antibiotics only against bacteria and not against viruses such as a cold virus. Even if the snot turns yellow or green during a cold, it is often not necessary to use antibiotics.
• In case of prolonged high fever, severe shortness of breath due to flu, drowsiness or a cold that lasts longer than 10 days, it is wise to contact the doctor.