What is the Best Way to Treat the Woes of Winter

Just about everybody seems to be fighting something these days, the sniffles, a tummy bug or the flu. But exactly what causes these illnesses and what's the best way to treat the woes of winter? Our health correspondent Dr. Emily Senay tells us more.

Interview with Dr. Emily Senay

If you have cold symptoms like sore throat or cough or fever how do you know what's causing it?

If the symptoms are consistent with an upper respiratory infection, that is a cold, and it is almost definitely caused by a cold virus. Symptoms include the familiar scratchy throat, runny or stuffy nose, dry or slightly productive cough.

But with a cold, it is in fact rare to have a fever, or have severe body aches or fatigue. On average people get between two to four colds per year. There are over 200 viruses that cause colds, and every time we get exposed to a new virus then symptoms hit all over again.

The flu is caused by a virus as well isn't that right?

Yes. The influenza virus causes the symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of flu are much worse than the common cold. Believe me you know it when you get it. Fever is almost always part of the picture and of course body aches, chills and headache is usually present. The flu is a much worse deal than a cold. But it is also caused by a virus.

We have heard so much about antibiotic overuse lately. Antibiotics work only on bacteria not viruses. What's the difference?

That is absolutely correct. Antibiotics work only on bacteria. Bacteria and viruses are essentially very different types of bugs. Bacteria are organisms that reproduce and multiply on their own inside the body, like your throat as in strap throat. They are relatively large organisms and antibiotics can easily find and kill them. Viruses on the other hand are much smaller and multiply inside the cells of the body. They are harder to find and harder to destroy and that is at the root of why antibiotics and other drugs don't work on viruses. They use the body's own cells as camouflage.

So why do so many people get antibiotics when they have symptoms that appear to be due to colds?

In many cases they are given inappropriately and this is what is leading to the enormous problem of resistant organisms, bugs for which there is little or no treatment. Having said that, there are certainly many cases where antibiotics are valuable. In some cases, what happens is a person will start out being infected by a virus, let's say a cold virus. But for whatever reason symptoms persist or worsen and rather than gradually getting better you feel worse. In that case it's possible that a secondary infection has developed and this time the problem is bacterial, for which an antibiotic is perfectly appropriate. If you have the following symptoms see your doctor.

A fever of 102 that lasts more than the first few days of a cold. Ear, sinus or throat pain that is severe for three or more days. A rash or a cough that lasts more than two week or produces blood.

And of course you should see a doctor if you have any trouble breathing like shortness of breath, chest pain or trouble swallowing, or if after gradually getting better you suddenly feel worse than ever.

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