The winter weather has caused a myriad of health concerns recently — with persistent flu high up on the list.
The ongoing threats to social events and work life raise the common question of how long such seasonal illnesses will persist.
So how long can people expect the flu, Covid, and colds to last?
How long does the flu typically last?
Flu, also called influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system. It can be spread extremely easily through coughs and sneezes and people can fall ill within the first few days of being infected.
Symptoms ranging from sudden high temperatures, lethargy, a sore throat, and a headache to an aching body and loss of appetite, can last anywhere between a few days and a week.
Flu can be even more severe for children, however, as they can also suffer ear pain and are likely to appear much less active than usual.
The NHS advises any sufferers to rest, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen (to lower temperatures and treat aches), and avoid dehydration.
Those at risk of getting seriously ill from influenza may find that the best way to remedy this is via a flu vaccine. The jab is free for people including pregnant women, those over 65, and anyone with a long-term health condition.
How long does a Cold typically last?
Cold symptoms tend to be less serious than the flu's. Tell-tale signs are runny or blocked noses, sore throats, sneezing, and coughing, which develop over one or two days and gradually disappear. However, some colds can last for two weeks.
More serious colds, like other respiratory illnesses (including flu), can last for more than a month after infection. Such colds are simply called “long colds”. Recent research from Queen Mary’s University of London (QMUL) found that respiratory infections could have long-lasting health impacts that go undetected due to a lack of awareness among patients.
The team compared symptoms of Covid-19 with non-Covid respiratory infections. Although those with infections of the latter sort did not suffer serious symptoms such as dizziness, they had others including coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhoea lasting more than four weeks after the initial infection.
To treat colds, people are advised to rest, keep hydrated, and gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children).
Over-the-counter remedies to alleviate symptoms can help manage the discomfort associated with a cold. If symptoms persist or worsen, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further guidance.
How long do Covid-19 symptoms typically last?
Covid-19 symptoms do not tend to vary much from the flu's. However, people may be able to deduce they have it via a change or loss to their sense of taste and smell — or sometimes even a continuous cough.
Most people on average suffer Covid-19 for up to two weeks. However, some people can catch long Covid, also known as post-Covid syndrome, where symptoms can last longer than 12 weeks (as defined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Covid-19 has even been thought to bring on a secondary illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Treatments for Covid-19 can range from tablets to infusions given via a drip in the arm, but these should be discussed with a doctor in advance.
To learn about treatments available, guidance from the NHS is available here.
