COUGHS & COLD

What is it?

Coughs and colds (respiratory tract infections) are common and children can catch between six and twelve colds per year. A 'common cold' is different to the 'flu'. Both are respiratory diseases but they are caused by different viruses. While a cold usually affects the nose and throat only, flu symptoms are more intense and tend to make the whole body ache.

Causes of coughs and colds

There are more than 200 viruses (germs) that can cause a cold. These viruses are spread via droplet infection e.g. sneezing, coughing or hand contact.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms may include various combinations of:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Red eyes
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Swelling of lymph glands
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Fever (occasionally)
• Loss of appetite, and sometimes nausea and vomiting

Most symptoms typically last between three and seven days, however a cough may last one to two weeks longer.

How do I manage coughs and colds?

Check with your GP or Guardian pharmacist before giving cough, cold and flu medicine to children, especially those younger than six years.

You can also ask your Guardian Pharmacist about methods of relieving cough and cold symptoms such as:

• Relief for fever (if present)
• Warm drink suggestions to soothe the throat
• Throat lozenges
• Treatments to ease a blocked nose