runny or stuffy nose , muscle or body aches , headaches , chest pain and fatigue ( tiredness ). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu . People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose . Colds generally do not result in serious health problems .
A number of tests are available to detect flu viruses in respiratory specimens . The most common are called “ rapid influenza diagnostic tests ” ( RIDTs ). RIDTs work by detecting the parts of the virus ( antigens ) that stimulate an immune response . These tests can provide results within approximately 10-15 minutes but may not be as accurate as other flu tests . Therefore , you could still have flu , even though your rapid test result is negative . Other flu tests called “ rapid molecular assays ” detect genetic material of the flu virus . Rapid molecular assays produce results in 15-20 minutes and are more accurate than RIDTs .
In addition to RIDTs and rapid molecular assays , there are several more accurate flu tests available that must be performed in specialized laboratories , such as hospital and public health laboratories . These tests include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR ), viral culture , and immunofluorescence assays . All of these tests require that a health care provider swipe the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a swab and then send the swab for testing . Results may take one to several hours .
I hope I am not boring you with too much jargon and if I am kindly excuse me . How else will you know the lady from the lakeside “ amesoma ” ( is learned for those who don ’ t speak Kiswahili ). Bottom line as a patient you are not interested in what causes and how to diagnose you want to know how to get better . Sorry to disappoint you but from a treatment perspective , most viral infections do not need any medication and will resolve on their own . But if someone has severe illness antiviral medication can be used . A provider may prescribe antivirals such as oseltamivir , zanamivir or peramivir to reduce duration and severity of illness .
Hold up !! Do you remember our patient Gertrude is pregnant , is it safe to give her such medication ? Antiviral medication to treat the flu are “ Pregnancy Category C ” medications , meaning that controlled clinical studies have not been conducted to assess the safety of these medications for pregnant people . So , unless the provider really feels the health of the patient outweighs the risks , we do not prescribe these medications in pregnancy .
I think in every article addressing health problems you will find I have said prevention is better than cure ! So how can we prevent the flu or the common cold ? Yes , you guessed it , vaccination . Getting vaccinated really helps to reduce acquiring the flu . Above that in case you still contract the virus , the symptoms will be less severe than in unvaccinated people . Unlike the antiviral medication the flu vaccine is safe in pregnancy and we recommend pregnant women to get vaccinated . The most appealing thing about the Influenza vaccine is that it can be given during any trimester of pregnancy .
I think Covid also helped a lot in spreading the Gospel on infection prevention guidelines and all the measures we took should continue . The most effective way of preventing infection is handwashing . So , lets wash our hands regularly . For those with respiratory illness , kindly stay at home and avoid contact with uninfected individuals and if you must go outside , kindly wear a mask to stop the spread .
I hope with this article I have managed to clarify the difference between the cold and the flu and helped you know how to protect yourself , please make sure you don ’ t get the next round of flu .
Till next time I hope you stay safe and flood free . I dedicate this article to all those affected by the recent floods in the country .
Dr . Maureen Owiti is a practicing Obstetrician Gynaecologist and fertility consultant based in Nairobi . You can commune with her on this or related matters via email at : Drmaureenowiti @ gmail . com