FACT

Many adults get a respiratory infection between 2-5 times a year.

Prevention

• Wash your hands regularly, especially if you've been out and about or around sick people.

• Stay hydrated and eat a nutritious, balanced diet to maintain your immune system.

• Use a humidifier in winter to prevent the air in your home from becoming too dry.

• Manage stress and get plenty of sleep so your immune system can function well.



Treatments

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen: Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with relieving symptoms that may come with a cough and cold, such as a sore throat, fever, and not feeling well. Always read the label and instructions before using them.
• Cough mixtures and medicines: For many over the counter medicines we don’t know how well they work, but you may still find them useful. A herbal medicine, pelargonium is sometimes used for over 12s as are cough remedies containing guaifenesin. Speak with a member of your pharmacy team.
• Home remedies: Simple home remedies, such as ‘honey and lemon’ can help. Add freshly squeezed juice from half a lemon and one to two teaspoons of honey to a mug of boiled water and drink while still warm.
• Water: Drink at least 6-9 glasses of water in a day.
• Rest: Get plenty of rest.
• Stop smoking: Smoking is a common reason for an ongoing cough. If you can stop smoking – or at least smoke less – your cough is likely to get better in the long-term. You’ll feel better and your health will also benefit in other ways – visit the NHS Website for details or speak to a member of your pharmacy team about how to quit. 
  

Children

You can relieve symptoms of a cough by eating cool, soft food and drinking cool or warm drinks and sucking ice lollies.  

Offer your child regular fluids. If you’re a breastfeeding mother, offer your child as many feeds as they will take.

Painkillers - Do not give paracetamol to a child under 2 months. Do not give ibuprofen to a child under 3 months or under 5kg or to children with asthma. Never give Aspirin to under 16s.

Children can go to school or nursery with a cough but should stay at home until any fever goes away.

A member of your pharmacy team can help with advice on managing your child's symptoms. 

Urgent medical attention required

Call 999 or go to A & E if you or your child has any of these:

• You find it hard to breathe in, and your throat feels like it’s closing up or your breathing sounds high pitched sound (stridor) when you breathe
• Your symptoms are severe and getting worse quickly 
  

When to get medical assistance

Severity: Your cough is really bad or gets worse quickly – especially if it’s a ‘hacking’ cough or you can’t stop coughing.

Duration: Your cough lasts longer than three weeks.

Foreign body: You cough after you’ve choked on something.

Chest or shoulder pain: You have chest and/or shoulder pain.

Breathlessness: You also find it harder to breathe, or you breathe faster than normal.

Blood: Seek medical advice if you cough up small amounts of blood. If you cough up larger amounts, seek medical advice urgently.

Swollen glands: The side of your neck feels swollen and painful.

You have a weakened immune system: For example, through diabetes or chemotherapy.