Dr. Giulia Enders

So then they'll have a problem soon.

So the decongestant nasal spray, if you use it right, not too much, don't overdo it, don't take it too long, then it's a really good thing to do when you're being sick.

But when it comes, for example, to things that tone down the gut when you have diarrhea, like loperamid, for example, it's the usual thing you take on travels or something.

then you should really think twice.

Because as I said, diarrhea will expel the germs out and help the gut to get rid of them.

So they don't infect any more cells or less at least.

And when you then take something that just stops the motion of the gut and just lets everything brew and lay around, then that's not a good idea.

And we have data showing that it elevates your risk of post-infectional irritable bowel syndrome and also like having a bit more

pain and like trouble after an infection so if you really need to take it because you just have to get on that plane or you're starting to be dehydrated and it gets really bad then go ahead but if it's not so necessary and you could just really have your gut you know sorted out for half a day or a day in the hotel room then you might want to go with that for example and it's a mix out of both for anti-cough medicine because in the very beginning cough is

similar to diarrhea, where it really gets out some of the viruses and germs by coughing them out.

But later on, it oftentimes will fuse into a more of like irritated cough, where just the immune cells and the cells in the airways are so sensitive, every piece of dry air or little particle that you breathe in will then irritate them and make you cough unnecessarily.

And in that case, you can then grab the medicine.

You know, I would, you know, put it in these categories.

I'd like to ask about the painkillers because that was less clear to me.

So let's say I'm thinking about taking paracetamol, Tylenol.

Yeah.

What on balance is that likely to do?

And since the data is not really clear on that, I think everyone can still pick their choice.

And also depending maybe on how bad it is.

If it's so bad that, for example, you can't really sleep and sleep is very important for healing or you just have to like get through the day, then I'd say go ahead.