Colds and Flu in the age of COVID-19: Understanding the interplay of viruses during winter months

As winter approaches, so does the battle against colds, flu and COVID-19.

The good news is that Adcock Ingram boasts a comprehensive range of products to fulfil all your winter needs, ensuring you’re equipped to be a true winter warrior. With Panado®, Cepacol®, Compral®, and Viral Guard, you and your family can confidently face the challenges of the cold months ahead.

The Seasonal Challenge

Winter has always been a challenging time for our immune systems. People spend more time indoors near others as temperatures drop, creating the perfect environment for viruses to spread.^1a  The dry, cold air can also wear down our body’s defences against infection, making viruses such as colds, flu and COVID-19 easier to take hold.^1b

Common Cold

The common cold, often caused by rhinoviruses,^2a is a constant presence during the winter months. Despite its name, there’s nothing common about the misery it brings. Symptoms can include a sore throat, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing and fatigue.^2b

Flu: A Seasonal Menace

Influenza, or the flu, is another winter regular and is often caused by either the influenza A or B virus.^3a Unlike the common cold, the flu can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia.^3b It shares many symptoms with the cold but is typically associated with high fever, headaches, and body aches.^3c

Enter COVID-19

In early 2020, the world was introduced to a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 can overlap with those of the flu and common cold, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose and muscle or body aches.^4a Symptoms can range from mild symptoms to severe illness.^4b

The Interplay Of Viruses

One of the challenges posed by the coexistence of these viruses is the potential for overlap. Simply put, this means an individual can contract multiple viruses simultaneously – especially during winter – making diagnosis and treatment challenging.⁵

Distinguishing between COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold based on symptoms alone is challenging, as they share many similarities. To address this issue, it’s best to see your healthcare provider.

How Adcock Ingram’s Winter Warriors Campaign Can Help You And Your Family

Beat the winter chill with Adcock Ingram’s Winter Warriors Campaign! Our lineup of products, including Panado®, Cepacol®, Compral®, and Viral Guard, stands ready to assist your family in fighting winter virus symptoms.

Panado®: The Chill-Beating Pain Fighter 

Panado® is trusted⁶ by South African families to offer relief of pain and fever associated with headaches, toothache, colds and flu. It contains paracetamol, an ingredient which boasts more than 150 years of clinical experience.⁷

A white container with blue text and a blue and white label Description automatically generated

Beat The Scratch And Soothe Sore Throats With Cepacol®

Cepacol®, renowned for its sore throat lozenges and hot medication, offers a range of solutions for cold and flu symptoms. There’s a Cepacol® option for everyone this winter!

Get Fast & Targeted Pain Relief From Compral®

Don’t let pain hold you back this, winter! Turn to Compral® for targeted and fast^{8 & 9} pain relief. Available in both tablet and powder form, Compral® powder is ready to work in just 10 seconds.¹⁰

A box and container of pain relief powder Description automatically generated

Guard Your Immunity and Beat the Bugs With ViralGuard

ViralGuard offers a formulation with essential ingredients like antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, herbal extracts, and minerals, all known to support the immune system.¹¹ The range includes Fizzi chews, junior syrup, a throat spray and tablets.

A close-up of two boxes Description automatically generated

Embrace the Winter Warrior within with the Adcock Ingram Range, featuring Panado®, Cepacol®, Compral®, and ViralGuard, available from Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies.

For more information about Adcock Ingram Winter Warriors, click here and for more information about Panado® click here. You can also join the conversations on Facebook. Click here for more information about Cepacol® and join the conversation on Facebook. You can also click here for more information about Compral® and join the conversation on Facebook. Lastly, for more information about ViralGuard, click here and join the conversation on Facebook.

A group of boxes of medicine Description automatically generated

2023121310329259

References:

1. BBC. The real reason germs spread in the winter. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20151016-the-real-reason-germs-spread-in-the-winter. Last accessed December 2023.
2. Winther B. Rhinoviruses. International Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2008:577–81. doi: 10.1016/B978-012373960-5.00610-9. Epub 2008 Aug 26. PMCID: PMC7150364. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7150364/. Last accessed December 2023.
3. Harvard Health Publishing. Cold & Flu. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/cold-and-flu. Last accessed December 2023.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of COVID-19. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. Last accessed December 2023. 
5. Dadashi M, Khaleghnejad S, Abedi Elkhichi P, Goudarzi M, Goudarzi H, Taghavi A, Vaezjalali M, Hajikhani B. COVID-19 and Influenza Co-infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Jun 25;8:681469. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.681469. PMID: 34249971; PMCID: PMC8267808. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8267808/. Last accessed December 2023. 
6. Circana, MT, Nov 2023 MAT.
7. 150 years of paracetamol. GP Pharma Update Mar/Apr 2019.
8. Weiser T, Weigmann H. Effect of Caffeine on the Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics of an Acetylsalicylic Acid-Paracetamol Combination: Results of a Phase I Study. Adv Ther 2019;36:597-607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-019-0891-5.
9. Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Pageler L, et al. The fixed combination of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine is more effective than single substances and dual combination for the treatment of headache: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Cephalalgia 2005;25:776–787. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00948. 
10. Compral pain powder dissolution evaluation. Document no. 23/AD/063.
11. ViralGuard Tablets information leaflet. November 2012.