Reduce your risk

To reduce your risk of getting a cold or flu, here are some useful tips:
Wash your hands regularly - the tiny droplets sneezed or coughed out by someone with a cold or flu can be passed on through hands and other surfaces.
Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth, as the infection can spread particularly easy through these areas.
Dispose of any used tissues immediately - never leave dirty handkerchiefs lying around.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze if you have the virus.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu symptoms.

Flu

Flu carries an increased risk of complications and serious illness for older people (aged 65 and over), and people with long-term medical conditions.
Having the flu is more severe than a when you have a cold, and symptoms often develop more quickly. The symptoms of the flu include:
a fever that comes on quickly
severe aches and pains,
exhaustion, and
having difficulty sleeping.
While recovery from the common cold usually occurs within a week, the severe stage of flu usually lasts 3 - 5 days. It can then be followed by up to three weeks of post-viral fatigue (tiredness). If your symptoms persist for longer than a week or become very severe, see your GP.
Older people and those with long-term medical conditions may need medical attention earlier.

Self help

You can also take care of yourself by:
-Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, such as water or fruit juice. Also, avoid drinking alcohol while taking medicines containing paracetamol
-Wrapping up and keep warm - layers are the best way to keep warm outdoors.
-Taking paracetamol to relieve any pain-aspirin and ibuprofen can also be used but are
more likely to cause stomach upset. (Aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 16.)
**Wearing layers is the best way to keep warm outdoors**

Usually it's only necessary to see your GP if:
-you have a cough that lasts more than three weeks,
-you begin to experience a shortness of breath
-you develop chest pains, or
-you already have a chest condition.

Home care

If you're a fit and healthy person, a cold or flu is unlikely to be serious, or cause you any complications. It will disappear without treatment, but there are plenty of over-the-counter medicines you can use to help relieve your symptoms.
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can be taken for congested nasal passages and sinuses (stuffy nose).
Anti-histamine tablets and nasal sprays, also used to treat allergies, are an alternative treatment, but can make you feel drowsy.
Coughs and sore throats can be relieved with cough medicines and lozenges.
You can also use antiseptic or local anaesthetic throat sprays, which will help soothe
sore throats and ease pain.

Antibiotics can only be prescribed by your GP, but don't often work on the majority of coughs and sore throats.
If you are taking over-the-counter medicines, it is important to check with your pharmacist (chemist) that they will not interact with other medicines you are currently taking.
In particular, always check the packaging and enclosed patient information leaflet to make
sure you don't take more than the recommended dose.If you're unsure, always ask your pharmacist.

Cold and flu advice

As the nights begin to draw in, there seems to be a definite chill in the air. Winter has arrived and it's time to wrap up warm to protect yourself against the dreaded cold and flu (influenza).
Colds and flu occur all year round, but seem to be most common in the winter months. No-one is quite sure why, but it may be because many people spend more time indoors, with closer contact between other people and are getting less fresh air.
Unsurprisingly, colds are the most common upper respiratory illness in the UK. Both colds and flu are caused by viruses, which are highly contagious. They spread when people who are infected sneeze or cough, sending tiny droplets of infected saliva into the air.

The main symptoms of a cold are:
-sneezing
-a sore throat, and
-a blocked or runny nose.

**Colds are the most common upper respiratory illness in the UK**

You may also have a high temperature, feel tired, or have regular headaches.