It is often taken as self-medication, sometimes prescribed by the doctor, but health authorities point out that it is not recommended for colds but also for flu, sore throat, otitis, bronchitis, etc. Explanations and advice for safe treatment.
Headache, sore throat, fever, body aches, cough. Faced with the painful symptoms of winter infections, we may be tempted to take stronger medications to get better. Caution: serious bacterial infections are “regularly reported” because of certain medications inform the Medicines Agency. She even announces the death of twelve people “including healthy children and young adults.. “Paracetamol remains the preferred medication to treat fever or pain, in the event of a common infection – angina, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, dental or skin infection – or in the event of flu syndrome or chickenpox” recalls authority. Paracetamol is the active molecule in Doliprane® and Dafalgan®. Conversely, “NSAIDs should only be considered as a second line, after medical advice”. What is this ?
NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (they do not contain cortisone). The best known is ibuprofen. This is the medication that you should absolutely avoid if you have a cold, flu or other winter illness because it can amplify the spread of bacteria in the body, such as streptococci or pneumococci, and cause serious complications. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can mask the symptoms of a bacterial infection and delay appropriate treatment” explains the ANSM. According to its expert report, 162 cases of bacterial infection have been recorded with ibuprofen. Among them, 9 died, 24 suffered a life-threatening condition and 3 suffered after-effects.
Even if the doctor prescribes this medicine, you should not take it
These infections caused serious complications: sepsis (fever, tachycardia, rapid breathing, confusion), septic shock, meningitis and severe skin infections. The message from the authorities is clear: “Avoid taking an NSAID if you have symptoms of an infection such as fever, cough, fatigue and pain.“So no ibuprofen (Advil®, Nurofen®, generic Ibuprofen®, RhinAdvil®…) when you have the flu, an ear infection, a sore throat, bronchitis, a cold or even chickenpox. And this, even if the doctor has prescribed it. Among the serious bacterial infections reported to the ANSM, ibuprofen was prescribed in 31 patients, 7 of which were combined with an antibiotic.
At the same time, the Medicines Agency warns about taking another dangerous NSAID: ketoprofen. Taken to relieve sprain or joint pain, it can, in the same way as ibuprofen, mask a bacterial infection and cause serious complications. The ANSM reports 54 cases of serious bacterial infections with ketoprofen. Among them, 3 died, 3 had a life-threatening condition and 1 suffered after-effects.
The only medication reflex in the event of winter infections must therefore be paracetamol. And, there too, distrust. This unmarked medication can be dangerous for the liver. It must be taken strictly respecting the dosage: 1 tablet of 1000 mg (1 g) every 6 hours without exceeding 4 per day (24 hours) or 1 tablet of 500 mg every 4 to 6 hours without exceeding 6 per day. Natural remedies can also help relieve symptoms of colds, flu, bronchitis: thyme tea, honey, lemon, etc.
