The cold war is here ... again!

Cough, cold and flu season, like the New Year, is here. Cold-remedy sales at pharmacies have tripled since October. Prevention of cold and flu is always better than cure. Avoid people who already have the virus and avoid direct contact with easily contaminated items such as doorknobs, pens, telephones and handrails.

If you already have a cold, you can sit it out with rest and drinking plenty of liquids, or take medication for relief. Cold and flu medications do not get rid of the illness faster, but help relieve symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, headache and sore throat.

Cold remedies differ by their combination of active ingredients. Most remedies are available over-the-counter, but it is best to consult the pharmacist for advice on the safest and most appropriate product.

Multi-symptom treatments

Multi-symptom treatments are useful when you are suffering with all the symptoms they treat. However, some active ingredients, and even inactive ingredients, carry side effects. It is therefore better to treat specific symptoms than to go for the overkill with the multi-symptom formulas.

Decongestants for stuffy nose

The cold virus provokes the body to release histamines which swell blood vessels in the nasal passages. This causes stuffy nose and accumulation of mucous. Decongestants relieve pressure and congestion by shrinking the vessels, making breathing easier. They also suppress mucous production.

Oral decongestants include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. They shrink blood vessels in the nose to relieve congestion, but may also shrink other blood vessels in the body, raising the blood pressure and heart rate. So they should be viewed cautiously by people with diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, pregnancy, prostate enlargement, glaucoma, thyroid problems or kidney disease.

Nasal products

Nasal decongestant drops, spray and gels containing drugs such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are generally more effective than oral decongestants. They are also safer and work faster. But nasal decongestants actually cause congestion if used for more than three consecutive days. To prevent this rebound congestion, switch to an oral decongestant after three days of using the nasal product.

Nasal and oral decongestants are not recommended for young children. Nasal saline (salt water) sprays or drops are useful choices to relieve congestion and are safe for babies and children. An effective home remedy can be made by adding drops of camphor, menthol or eucalyptus oil to piping hot water and inhaling the vapour.

Dahlia McDaniel is a pharmacist and final year doctoral candidate in public health at the University of London; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.