Painkillers are often used to ease the symptoms of a common cold.
With new Covid variants circulating and cases widespread in the UK, superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani at chemistclick.co.uk offered his expertise on whether it’s worth taking them for Covid.
However, taking either of these medications “could help alleviate symptoms”, especially if you are suffering from a high temperature.
Once you have been infected with Covid, there is nothing you can do to stop the viral load from replicating inside of you and making you ill.
This is true of Covid, the flu, or the common cold, so the only thing you must do is do all you can to dampen the intensity of the illness.
Instead, Kanani advised to “get lots of rest [and to] drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration”.
Those feeling under the weather are better off staying away from other people, including those they live with.
The reason for this is that it can limit the virus from infecting others.
As with Covid, Kanani said taking ibuprofen or paracetamol for the flu or common cold may help manage symptoms such as headaches and high temperature.
Everybody eligible for the flu and Covid vaccines are urged by the NHS to have their vaccination.
Those eligible for free vaccination include:
- People aged 65 and older
- People who have certain health conditions
- If you have a learning disability
- Carers.
People can have their flu vaccines at the doctor’s surgery or at a pharmacy.
To book your Covid vaccine, you can call 119 for free or book online.
The viruses that cause Covid and the flu are different, but both can make a vulnerable person very ill.
By having the vaccinations, you are less likely to have a severe reaction to the viruses.
As with any type of vaccination, however, there can be mild and temporary side effects.
Side effects might include a sore upper arm, where the injection was given, and a headache.