It starts with a sniffle. Before you know it, it’s a full-blown cold.
“I just bought cold syrup. It was the cough and the sniffles right,” said Jack Henderson.
“I just had lunch with my daughter and she had a cold,” added Betty Logan.
And Island Health says it’s the season.
“It’s time for people to be aware that we are entering the cold and flu season, the viruses are starting to circulate,” said Dr. Dee Hoyano, medical health officer with Island Health.
And when you take your sick self to the pharmacy, the options can be overwhelming.
Brand name? It doesn’t matter.
What does, is what’s in it. Some cold medicines have pain killers, others have decongestants or antihistamines, some of which you may actually not need.
“We don’t want to double the doses by mistake. Check with your pharmacist and we’ll help you find something,” said Andrew Formosa, a pharmacist with Aaronson’s Pharmacy on Cook Street.
The best way to stay healthy though? Wash your hands, and often.
“Keep those hands clean,” said Hoyano.
“Handwashing is one of the best ways, and it works for all kinds of bacteria.”
At local pharmacies, they’re already preparing for the next onslaught: the flu.
Fu vaccines won’t be available in Greater Victoria until mid-October, but pharmacists say always good plan ahead.
“We typically run out of the vaccine before we run out of demand for the vaccine,” said Formosa.
“Do it earlier rather than later, you don’t want to miss out.”
Whatever treatment you choose, if you get sick, experts say don’t share your germs, stay at home.
CHEK News
