Common and Minor Ailments - Colds and Flu

Forget Antibiotics - The No.1 cure for colds and flu is you

Be antibiotic aware:

Antibiotic resistance ia a significant and growing threat to your health. Overuse of antibiotics can actually do more harm than good because your body can build up a resistance, leading to problems caused by resistant bugs like MRSA.

Because of this it is now important to use antibiotics only when they are needed. They can be extremely effective, but taking them when you don't need them can cause antibiotics not to work when you do need them.

Antibiotics don't fight viruses such as colds, coughs and flu, and should only be taken to cure infections caused by bacteria.

Antibiotics won't cure:

Sore throats - Headaches - Runny noses - Raised temperatures - Coughs - Blocked noses - Poor appetites

Although they are very important drugs, antibiotics are designed to treat specific illnesses caused by bacteria.
They do not work on viral infections such as colds, coughs and flu, which most healthy adults can fight off.
Chest and head colds can last up to three weeks and antibiotics won't speed up your recovery.

Here's what you can do:

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Take paracetamol, ibuprofen or your usual painkiller for sore throats, headaches or muscle ache.

• Get lots of rest

• Inhaling the steam of hot (not boiling) water may help if you have a blocked nose and / or a chesty cough.

Prevention is better than cure:

• Ask the surgery about a flu jab. This is free to various groups, including those who are 65 and over and people who have asthma, heart trouble, diabetes or kidney disease.

• Get plenty of exercise

• Live a healthy lifestyle

• Wash your hands frequently

You should contact your doctor if:

• Have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks

• Have a fever for more than 2 to 3 days

• Become short of breath

• Develop severe chest pain

• Have a chronic medical condition, especially a chest complaint

• Develop ear or nose pain or a rash

More information can be found here - Seasonal Flu

This information is provided as a general guide only, if you are in any doubt then you should seek expert medical advice.