FAQ: Cold & Flu Symptoms in Adults, and More

Soothing your symptoms starts when you know the answers to frequently asked questions.

  • All Topics
  • Cold and Flu Prevention
  • Cold and Flu Symptoms Treatment
  • About NeoCitran Products

Cold and Flu Prevention

  • What is the flu (influenza)?

    The influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory infection. Unlike the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.

    Symptoms include fever, Headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches.

  • How does the cold and flu spread?

    The common cold and flu are mainly spread through coughs and sneezes, which propel droplets up to 4 feet in the air. These can then land in the mouth, nose, or eyes of people nearby. Alternatively, viruses can spread when someone touches these droplets and then touches their mouth or nose.

    Most healthy adults may infect others beginning 1 to 2 days before symptoms develop, and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. That means that you will be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

  • How common is the flu?

    On average, more than 20,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year, in Canada.

  • Can I catch the same cold or flu twice?

    Because the viruses that cause a cold or the flu can mutate, you can catch them more than once, and pass them on to your friends, family, or work colleagues. Conversely, you can pick up the same cold or flu 1 or 2 weeks later.

    Why? That’s because the initial virus has mutated slightly and the immunity that your body generated to fight the virus last time around will no longer be effective against the new strain.

  • When is cold and flu season?

    The flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter season, normally peaking between December and February.

  • If I have a cold or the flu, what can I do to stop it from spreading?

    If you have a cold or the flu, it’s a good idea whenever possible to stay at home. Cover your mouth and nose or place your head into the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze, if you don’t have a tissue. It also helps to regularly wipe down surfaces, telephones, doorknobs, and keyboards with alcohol-based sanitizers. You should also wash your hands regularly.

    Ask anyone who’s caring for you to do the same. Use an alcohol-based hand gel if you don’t have access to water and dispose of any used tissues immediately.

  • Who should get the flu vaccine?

    All persons aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually; especially people who:

    • Are 65 years of age and older
    • People with health conditions, including: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and obesity
    • People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
    • Children under 5 years of age
    • Pregnant women
    • Indigenous peoples

    Additionally, people in close contact with the above high-risk groups, including family, household members and caregivers, those who care for or are expecting a newborn baby, health care workers, child care workers and service providers in closed settings such as a ship’s crew.

  • Is there a cold vaccine?

    No. It’s a common mistake that people refer to the flu vaccine as a cold vaccine. But there are no vaccines for the common cold because there are a large number of viruses that cause the common cold. And since they can mutate, any vaccine would most likely be out of date by the time it was distributed among the population.

  • What is the flu vaccine and when should I get it?

    There are 2 kinds of flu vaccine available in Canada:

    1. The flu shot—an inactivated vaccine containing killed viruses that are given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

    2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

    It’s best to get vaccinated in October or November, but influenza vaccinations still offer benefits when received in December or later.

  • Can I get the flu from the injected virus?

    Injectable influenza virus vaccines are made from influenza viruses that have been inactivated or killed—an inactivated virus cannot give you the flu.

Cold and Flu Symptoms Treatment

  • How do I know if I have the flu?

    A doctor’s exam may be needed. You should be tested as close as is possible to when symptoms appear—usually within 4–5 days.

    If you develop flu-like symptoms, especially if you are at high risk for flu-related complications, consult your healthcare provider.

  • How do I treat my cold or flu symptoms?

    To treat a cold or the flu, it’s a good idea to drink lots of fluids. Be sure to avoid drinks like coffee, tea, and colas as they contain caffeine that can dehydrate you.

    Your body also needs energy to fight off the infection. If you’ve lost your appetite, try eating simple foods like white rice or soup.

    Multi-symptom cold and flu remedies like NeoCitran products contain a combination of active ingredients for symptom relief. Symptom relief will vary by product.

     

  • How do I treat my nasal and sinus congestion symptoms?

    For nasal and sinus congestion, decongestants such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are used for the temporary relief of stuffiness in the nose caused by colds, or the flu. Saline nasal sprays can also open breathing passages and may be used freely.

  • How do I treat my fever and sore throat symptoms?

    For fever and sore throat pain, pain relievers such as acetaminophen are used to reduce fever and to relieve Headache, minor body aches and pain and sore throat pain.

  • How do I treat my cough symptoms?

    For coughs, antitussive medications such as dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine are used to help relieve dry coughs due to colds and the flu.

  • Do I need to take antibiotics for my cold or flu?

    Because antibiotics kill bacteria and colds and the flu are caused by viruses, under normal circumstances, you should not need to take antibiotics for a cold or flu. If you develop symptoms not normally associated with a cold or the flu, please see your healthcare professional.

  • How soon can I expect to feel relief from cold and flu symptoms?

    When it comes to a cold, most people recover within a few days without requiring medical attention. When it comes to the flu, most people recover within a week without requiring medical attention. Response will vary for everyone.

    NeoCitran cold and flu medicines will help ease the symptoms, but they will not cure or shorten the duration of your cold or flu. Contact your healthcare professional if symptoms get worse or don’t start to improve after 1 week.

  • I have a cold or the flu, how long will I be contagious?

    If you catch the flu, you’re contagious for 1 to 2 days before you start to show symptoms and as long as you have the symptoms. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.

    As for a cold, you are most contagious for the first 2 or 3 days. A cold is usually not contagious after the first week.

  • Can the flu lead to serious health complications or death?

    Each year in Canada, over 20,000 cases of the flu result in hospitalizations. Some of the complications caused by flu include bacterial pneumonia and dehydration.

About NeoCitran Products

  • What symptoms does NeoCitran relieve?

    NeoCitran can help relieve your worst cold and flu symptoms including sinus and nasal congestion, sore throat pain, Headache, minor body aches, fever, and sinus congestion. Some products also relieves cough, sneezing and runny nose. Different NeoCitran products relieve different symptoms, find the one that’s right for you.

  • What forms do NeoCitran products come in?

    NeoCitran comes in a convenient powder format that dissolves in hot water, with day (non-drowsy) or night options that are used to treat multiple cold and flu symptoms.

  • How long will relief from NeoCitran products last?

    NeoCitran products relieve symptoms for up to 4-6 hours per dose. Do not take more than the amount stated on the label unless directed by a doctor.

  • Can I take NeoCitran if I’m pregnant or nursing?

    As with any medication, please consult with your Health Care Professional first.

  • What’s the purpose of the variety of ingredients in different NeoCitran products?

    Each ingredient found in NeoCitran products plays a key role in easing your flu and cold symptoms.

    For instance:

    • Acetaminophen acts as a pain reliever and fever reducer.
    • Chlorpheniramine maleate and pheniramine maleate are antihistamines that relieve symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
    • Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is an antihistamine and cough suppressant that relieves symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and a dry cough.
    • Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is a cough suppressant that relieves a dry cough.
    • Phenylephrine hydrochloride and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride are nasal decongestant(s) that help clear your sinuses by reducing swelling and restricting mucous production.

  • Where can I find NeoCitran?

    NeoCitran products are available at most major retailers, pharmacies, and online. 

  • Can I use NeoCitran products past their expiration date?

    You should never use any medicine after the expiration date marked on the package. You should appropriately dispose of any expired products.