As the weather gets colder, we tend to spend more time indoors and closer to other people, making it easier for respiratory infections to spread. In addition to catching coughs and colds, we also face the possibility of getting a more serious infection such as the flu, COVID, or RSV.
Even though the risk is higher as we approach winter, getting sick is not inevitable. There are ways we can protect ourselves. The most important step we can take is to get the proper vaccinations. While there is no vaccine against the common cold, there are vaccines that provide protection against other respiratory diseases. One very important vaccine is the flu shot.
It is best to get your flu shot each year as soon as possible after the new influenza vaccine becomes available–usually in October. It takes about two weeks after being vaccinated for your body to produce the antibodies that will protect you from the flu. Unless there are medical reasons why a person should not receive the vaccine, the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that everyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 several years ago, new strains of the COVID virus have appeared, and new vaccines have been developed in response. Another new COVID vaccine will become available this fall. Make sure your COVID shots are up to date.
Other vaccines commonly recommended for adults include pneumococcal and RSV vaccines. Pneumococcal vaccine protects against bacteria that can cause pneumonia, a lung infection characterized by severe cough and chest pain. Vulnerable people can get so sick from pneumonia that it can lead to hospitalization or even death.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a viral infection affecting the lungs and respiratory tract and causes mild to severe cold-like symptoms such as cough and fever. New single dose vaccines are now available to protect vulnerable groups.
There are guidelines indicating who should receive each vaccine, but the recommendations are general, and they can vary depending on the person’s age and other health factors. Your doctor and London Drugs pharmacist can explain your vaccine options and explain which ones would be right for you. Your London Drugs pharmacist can also administer the vaccines conveniently right in the pharmacy.
Do you really have a cold?
Because a number of respiratory infections spread during the same time of the year as colds, how do you know if what you have is actually a cold? While symptoms and warning signs tend to vary from person to person and from one disease to another, the following are typical signs of a cold:
- Symptoms come on gradually.
- Fever is rare.
- Body aches are mild.
- Chills are uncommon.
- Fatigue and weakness may occur.
- Sneezing, stuffy nose, and sore throat are common.
- Cough and chest congestion are mild to moderate.
- Headaches are rare.
When to see a doctor
Because cold symptoms can be similar to those of more serious illnesses, you should speak with your doctor if:
- Your cold symptoms are severe or unusual.
- You have a fever that lasts for more than four days.
- You have difficulty breathing or are breathing fast.
- Your cold symptoms worsen any chronic medical condition you may have.
If you have any questions about colds or other respiratory illnesses, your London Drugs pharmacists are available to answer them. Ask us. We’re here for you.
