What should you do if your body goes viral?

One moment you’re going about your daily life, and suddenly you start feeling worse and worse, until you find yourself in bed with a runny nose and a sore throat. What now? In most cases, we are dealing with viral infections that we simply have to let run their course. But what exactly is advisable, and what should one avoid? Dr. med. Dr. phil. Adrian Rohrbasser and Dr. med. Philipp Aebi from the Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM) have provided us with some guidance on this.

Text: Dr. med. Dr. phil. Adrian Rohrbasser und Dr. med. Philipp Aebi 

Sick exhausted girl in scarf is lying in bed sofa wrapped in grey blanket. Young woman with runny nose, headache and fever is blowing out snot. Home treatment. Winter cold and flu concept.

How can I tell if I have a viral infection?

A viral respiratory infection can present with a cough, a sore throat, a fever and/or a runny nose. Coughing helps the body to clear mucus from the airways. Such viral respiratory infections can affect the throat, the bronchi and/or the lungs. The most common causes are common cold viruses or flu viruses (influenza), particularly during the colder months. Bacteria are rarely the cause.

What can I do?

If you have a fever, it is important to drink plenty of water or tea. Sleep and rest help the body to recover and can aid your recovery. Honey in tea or milk can soothe a cough and thus help you sleep better. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce a fever.

When should I see a doctor or go to the pharmacy?

Seek advice immediately if you are short of breath, are experiencing severe chest pain, have a high fever or notice blood in your sputum. It is also advisable to seek medical advice if your cough lasts for more than 4 weeks or if your symptoms get worse.

When are antibiotics needed?

Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and therefore do not help with most respiratory infections. They can also cause side effects, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, skin rashes or fungal infections. Symptoms usually improve within a few days. However, a cough can last for up to 4 weeks, which is not unusual. Using antibiotics sparingly helps to prevent resistance – in other words, to stop bacteria from becoming resistant to them.