Common Cold and Flu Overview

A self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

An infection caused by a virus.

Structures of the respiratory system above the windpipe.

Goes away on its own without treatment.

An infection caused by a virus; this includes the common cold.

Children get colds more often than adults, averaging 5-6 colds annually, sometimes up to 12.

Adults typically get 2-4 colds per year.

Infrequent colds can occur yearly in the range of 5 to 12 in children.

Children experience significantly more colds than adults.

Children experience a higher frequency of colds than adults.

A headache that occurs above or below the eyes.

Inflammation of the sinuses.

A frontal headache that doesn't go away, or gets worse.

Sending a patient to a specialist for further tests.

Pain in the sinuses

A weakened immune system that can't fight infections as effectively.

A fever that continues for a prolonged period.

A cough that produces mucus or phlegm.

Need for a specialist's consultation.

Medications that can suppress the immune system.

The act of staying away from something.

A medical condition where the body doesn't properly use sugar.

A condition where blood flow to the heart is reduced.

High blood pressure.

An overactive thyroid gland.

Methods to avoid catching or spreading colds and influenza.

Thoroughly cleaning hands, especially after contact with potential sources of infection.

Avoid touching your nose or eyes after contact with infected individuals.

Immediately discarding used tissues to prevent the spread of germs.

Taking actions to stop the transmission of contagious illnesses.

Painful periods, or menstrual cramps, affecting lower abdomen and back. Can range from mild to severe, impacting day-to-day activities.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are often used to manage dysmenorrhea. They help reduce pain and inflammation.

A collection of physical and mental symptoms related to the menstrual cycle, occurring 2-14 days before menstruation. Symptoms usually disappear once bleeding starts.

PMS is associated with ovulation, as it doesn't occur before puberty, during pregnancy, or after menopause.

One theory suggests women with PMS are sensitive to progesterone, a hormone released after ovulation. This may reduce levels of pyridoxine, a vitamin involved in mood regulation.

Common PMS physical symptoms include bloating, weight gain, ankle and finger swelling, breast tenderness, and headaches.

PMS can affect mood, leading to irritability, tension, depression, difficulty concentrating, and tiredness.

Managing PMS involves identifying triggers and making lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, balanced diet, stress reduction techniques, and over-the-counter medications can help.

Discharge with a strong odor and not white and curd-like is more likely due to bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis rather than thrush.

Women under 16 or over 60 with vaginal thrush symptoms should be referred. This is because the vaginal environment in these age groups is more prone to infections due to hormonal changes.

Any blood staining in vaginal discharge should be referred.

Itching is a hallmark symptom of vaginal thrush, often more pronounced than in BV or trichomoniasis where itch is mild or absent.

Vaginal thrush accompanied by lower abdominal pain or dysuria (painful urination) may indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), requiring referral.

Any woman experiencing vaginal thrush symptoms for the first time should be referred.

More than two episodes of thrush in 6 months may indicate an underlying cause like diabetes and should be referred.

Pregnant women with vaginal thrush should be referred.

Diabetic women are more prone to vaginal thrush due to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) which helps the Candida albicans fungus thrive.

A patient should be referred for vaginal thrush if it's their first occurrence, they're pregnant, they've had more than 2 episodes in 6 months, or they have an STD history.

Certain medications, like antibiotics, corticosteroids, and hormone therapies, can increase the risk of vaginal thrush.

Topical imidazoles and oral fluconazole (like Diflucan) are commonly used to treat vaginal thrush.

The standard dose for oral fluconazole to treat vaginal thrush is a single 150mg tablet.

If thrush symptoms don't improve within 3 days or are not gone within a week, consult a doctor.

Women with a history of STDs should be referred for vaginal thrush, as it may be a dual infection.

Patients with diabetes should be referred for vaginal thrush, as it can be harder to treat with their condition.

Thrush, a yeast infection, thrives in warm, moist environments.

Maintaining good hygiene, like keeping the vaginal area clean and dry, helps prevent thrush. This includes using cotton underwear and drying thoroughly after bathing.

Avoid foam baths, soaps, and douches as they can strip away the protective lining of the vagina, making it more susceptible to thrush.

If you miss two or more active pills in the first week of a combined pill cycle and unprotected sex occurred, emergency hormonal contraception might be needed.

If you miss one or more progestogen-only pills (POPs) or take them late, and unprotected sex occurred in the 2 days following, emergency hormonal contraception might be needed.

If the contraceptive injection is late and unprotected sex occurred, emergency hormonal contraception might be needed.

If a barrier method fails, emergency hormonal contraception might be needed.

Ciclosporin, a medication, interacts with certain progestogens, increasing ciclosporin levels in the body.

A woman requesting EHC (Emergency Hormonal Contraception) who is taking ciclosporin should be referred to a healthcare professional.

Levonorgestrel, a type of emergency contraceptive, works by preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. It can delay or inhibit the release of the egg, interfere with sperm travel, or make the uterus lining unreceptive to the fertilized egg.

Ulipristal, another emergency contraceptive, works by suppressing the luteinizing hormone surge, which prevents or delays ovulation.

A common cause of vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis is often characterized by a thin, white discharge with a strong fishy odor.

Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, can cause a profuse, frothy, greenish-yellow, and foul-smelling discharge, along with itching and soreness.

Vaginal itching can be caused by allergic or irritant dermatitis due to recent use of new toiletries, harsh soaps, or vaginal douches.

Some drug interactions exist with multiple-dose fluconazole, but their relevance to single-dose fluconazole is unclear. It's advisable to avoid these combinations until further research.

Regular washing with warm water is sufficient to maintain a healthy vaginal environment.

Potassium citrate should not be given to patients with high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), including those taking ACE inhibitors, K+-sparing diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It's also not recommended for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or pregnant women.

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for UTIs is limited to alkalinizing agents like Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potassium Citrate. These agents help neutralize the urine, making it less acidic and potentially easing symptoms.

Primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods without an underlying cause), is most common between the ages of 17 and 25.

Secondary dysmenorrhea (painful periods due to an identifiable condition) is most common in women over 30 and rare under 25. Women over 30 with dysmenorrhea should be referred to a doctor.

Dysmenorrhea may not start at the beginning of menstruation. Painless periods can occur in the first few months or years due to anovulatory cycles (cycles without ovulation).

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be recommended for pain relief associated with dysmenorrhea, but only for up to 2 days.

Dysmenorrhea is divided into primary and secondary types. Primary dysmenorrhea involves pain without a known underlying cause, while secondary dysmenorrhea has an identifiable condition like endometriosis.

The menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days but can vary between 21 and 45 days. Menstruation itself lasts for 3 to 7 days.