Winter viruses continue to spread: How to identify symptoms and choose the right treatment | Health

The Brief

• Cold and flu viruses remain active during winter season, with distinct symptom patterns that help identify which illness you have
• Over-the-counter medications contain specific ingredients that target different symptoms – dextromethorphan for coughs, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, and Mucinex for congestion
• Seek medical attention if you experience shortness of breath with coughing or cough up blood after 10 days of illness

JOPLIN, Mo. — Winter continues to bring a wave of respiratory viruses across the region, leaving many people wondering how to distinguish between a common cold and the flu while choosing the most effective treatments.

Health experts say understanding the differences between these illnesses can help people make better decisions about their care and recovery.

“So the upper respiratory infection or the common cold, that’s basically the virus that you get on the upper area or the airway. So you get the cough, you get a little bit of the sniffles and the runny nose. You don’t get a whole lot of the systemic symptoms,” said Dr. Elsayadh from Freeman Health System. “When you get the flu, it becomes all of a sudden, and then you start coughing, you start developing a fever, you get chills, you get body aches, you get generalized weakness and just unable to do well.”

The key distinction lies in how quickly symptoms develop and their severity. Cold symptoms typically develop gradually and remain localized to the upper respiratory system. Flu symptoms, however, strike suddenly and affect the entire body with more intense discomfort.

Choosing the right over-the-counter medication

Many people turn to over-the-counter medications for relief, but understanding the active ingredients helps target specific symptoms more effectively.

“We have a couple of different cough suppressants. But mostly we see dextromethorphan as the main cough suppressant in the multiple products that we have. And then it does also just vary in how they’re released, either over time or are short acting, and then also the strength as well,” said Dr. Caswell the owner of Wolkar Drug Pharmacy. 

For those experiencing different symptoms, Dr. Elsayadh recommends matching medications to specific needs: “People who are having a fever, then they need to look for acetaminophen or ibuprofen. People who are congested and having some kind of sinuses and kind of runny nose and overall just feeling very, very sniffly, then they can get Mucinex.”

The variety of available medications means consumers should read labels carefully and select products that address their primary symptoms rather than taking broad-spectrum medications that may include unnecessary ingredients.

When to seek medical attention

While over-the-counter medications can provide relief for many viral symptoms, medical professionals emphasize the importance of monitoring your body’s response and recognizing warning signs.

“If you are coughing without any significant shortness of breath, that’s a good sign. If you are coughing with shortness of breath and you started coughing up blood after ten days, then you need to come and see us,” said Dr. Elsayadh.

These warning signs indicate that a simple viral infection may have developed into something more serious, such as a bacterial infection or pneumonia, which requires professional medical treatment.

Protecting others during illness

Beyond personal recovery, health experts stress the importance of preventing the spread of viruses to family members, coworkers, and community members.

Basic prevention strategies include asking yourself whether you want to expose others to your illness and taking appropriate precautions. Recommended measures include limiting exposure to others, wearing a mask when around people, maintaining physical distance, washing hands frequently, and using hand sanitizer.

These simple steps become particularly important during winter months when people spend more time indoors and viruses can spread more easily through close contact.

Understanding medication timing and effectiveness

The timing of medication can also impact recovery. While over-the-counter treatments can help manage symptoms, they work best when taken at the first sign of illness rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.

Different medications also work through various mechanisms. Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan work by affecting the brain’s cough center, while expectorants like those found in Mucinex help thin mucus to make it easier to clear from the respiratory system.

Pain relievers and fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen work differently as well. Acetaminophen primarily affects the brain’s temperature regulation, while ibuprofen also reduces inflammation throughout the body.

Looking ahead

As winter continues, health experts expect respiratory viruses to remain active in the community. The combination of cold weather, indoor gatherings, and various circulating viruses creates conditions that favor transmission.

People can protect themselves and others by staying home when sick, practicing good hygiene, and seeking appropriate medical care when symptoms worsen or persist beyond the typical recovery period for viral infections.

Understanding the differences between cold and flu symptoms, choosing targeted over-the-counter treatments, and knowing when to seek professional medical care can help people navigate the remainder of the winter virus season more effectively.

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