As a pharmacist, you’re often the first person patients turn to for relief, especially when coughs, colds, and chest congestion are running rampant during cold and flu season. Beyond dispensing medications, you have the opportunity to offer expert advice that can make a real difference. This guide will help you navigate the common causes of cough, understand the differences between cold, flu, and COVID-19 symptoms, and know when to recommend medications to help your patients feel better.
What’s Causing That Cough? Understanding the Triggers
During cold and flu season, coughs are often everywhere. But what’s the cause? The usual suspects include viral infections like the common cold and flu, which irritate the airways and trigger the body’s natural response to cough.
Bacterial infections can also be behind a lingering cough, though they’re less common. Unlike viral infections, bacterial conditions like bronchitis might need antibiotic treatment, so recognizing the signs is crucial.
Symptoms of bacterial infections can include:
- Persistent or Worsening Cough: A cough that lasts longer than three weeks or worsens over time. It is often productive, meaning it brings up mucus.
- Thick, Discoloured Mucus: If the mucus is yellow, green, or has a foul smell, it may suggest a bacterial infection.
- Fever: A moderate to high fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F) may accompany bacterial bronchitis, though not all cases involve a fever.
- Shortness of Breath or Wheezing: If symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath are worsening, it could indicate bacterial bronchitis.
- Fatigue or Malaise: Feeling unusually tired, fatigued, or experiencing general body aches may accompany the infection, especially if it’s prolonged.
- Chest Pain: Pain in the chest that occurs during coughing or breathing could signal a more severe infection, such as bronchitis caused by bacteria.
Environmental irritants such as allergens or smoke can also set off a cough. When patients have been exposed to dust, pollen, or other pollutants, their bodies may react by trying to clear out these irritants. Knowing the root cause can help you provide more targeted advice and treatment options.
Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? Helping Patients Understand the Differences
These days, a cough can be a cause for concern, not just for colds or flu but also for COVID-19. While all three illnesses share some overlapping symptoms, there are some important differences to keep in mind.
- Cold: Milder symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. Coughing tends to be less severe.
- Flu: Symptoms are more intense and often include a high fever, body aches, and a persistent cough.
- COVID-19: Adds another layer of complexity. Alongside cough and fever, patients may experience shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Pharmacists must stay informed about the evolving symptoms associated with COVID-19 to better advise their patients.
Your Role as a Pharmacist: Assess, Advise, and Support
You have a unique opportunity to help patients figure out the best treatment for their symptoms. Asking the right questions can help determine if a cough is due to a common cold, flu, or something more serious. Factors like how long the cough has lasted, its severity, and other accompanying symptoms can help pinpoint the cause.
For coughs that last longer than a few weeks, it could be a sign of something like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in which case it’s best to refer the patient to a healthcare provider.
You can also play a key role in prevention by encouraging patients to get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to fend off colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.
When Should You Recommend Medications?
Understanding when medication is necessary is vital in helping patients find relief. For patients presenting with mild cold or flu symptoms, non-prescription medications may suffice. Over-the-counter options like decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants can provide symptomatic relief.
Guaifenesin is a mainstay in treating coughs, particularly those associated with chest congestion. As an expectorant, it works by increasing the hydration of airway mucus, increasing the volume of bronchial secretions, and decreasing mucus viscosity. This triple-action approach enhances mucus clearance by promoting more effective expectoration. As a result, it helps to loosen and thin sputum and bronchial secretions, easing expectoration and providing much-needed relief from productive cough.
It’s particularly useful for patients with productive coughs, where expelling mucus is necessary for recovery. However, it may not be suitable for dry, irritating coughs where suppressing the cough reflex is more appropriate. Guaifenesin is most effective when taken with plenty of fluids.
Educating patients on the proper use of Guaifenesin is just as important. Advising on the correct dosage and frequency can enhance its effectiveness while minimizing potential side effects like dizziness or gastrointestinal upset.
Get Ready for Cold and Flu Season
As cold and flu season kicks into high gear, prepare yourself for an increase in patients seeking guidance. For more detailed information on when to recommend Guaifenesin and how to dose it appropriately, take our accredited course: Guaifenesin Non-Prescription in Your Practice.
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