Health Coughs, colds and flu


‘If you have a blocked nose, medicines called decongestants – which are available at pharmacies – can help you breathe more easily’


> Sneezing and stuffy nose


Is it a cold? Sneezing and a blocked nose are common symptoms of a cold, with sneezing being one of the first signs.


Is it flu? Flu can sometimes cause sneezing and a stuffy nose after the high temperature starts to drop.


If you have a blocked nose, medicines called decongestants – which are available at pharmacies – can help you breathe more easily. These are available in different forms, including tablets, sprays, drops and syrups. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops are effective, but they shouldn’t be used for more than a week because using them for too long can make your symptoms worse. You could also try inhaling steam


from a bowl of hot water (not boiling) to unblock your nasal passages. Your pharmacist may also recommend adding menthol crystals or eucalyptus oil to the water. Sleeping with an extra pillow can help keep your nasal passages clearer during the night too.


Stop the bugs spreading


If you have a cold or flu, here’s how to stop your infection spreading to other people:


Catch it: Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.


Bin it: Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible as germs can live for several hours on tissues.


Kill it:Wash your hands as soon as you can to avoid transferring germs to every surface you touch.


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• If you decide to take an all-in-one cold or flu remedy, remember that these formulations often include a decongestant as well as a pain relief medicine. This means you can’t take a separate decongestant or separate pain relief. Check with your pharmacist if there are other medicines you should avoid while taking combination cold and flu remedies.


Sore throat


Is it a cold? Sore throats are common with cold viruses, with a dry, scratchy throat often an early sign that you’ve caught a cold.


Is it flu? Flu sometimes causes a sore throat, but not always.


Your local Careway pharmacy stocks a range of products to help relieve a sore throat, including lozenges and sprays. If your throat is painful, your pharmacist may also recommend a pain relief medicine such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Other ways to soothe a sore throat


include drinking plenty of fluids and gargling with salt water. Some people also find sucking an ice cube provides relief. Try to avoid spending time with anyone who’s smoking, as cigarette smoke can make your throat feel worse.


Cough/chest discomfort


Is it a cold? You may have a mild to moderate cough if you have a cold.


Is it flu? Coughs and chest discomfort are common in cases of flu and can also become severe.


There are two types of cough – dry and chesty (a dry cough is more commonly associated with flu). If you have a dry cough it can feel tickly, but if your cough is chesty it will produce


The most effective way of preventing flu is to have an annual flu vaccine. Some people can get a flu jab free on the NHS, as it helps reduce their risk of developing complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Those who are eligible for a free flu


jab include: • People aged 65 or older • Pregnant women


• People with certain medical conditions


• People who live in a residential care home or other long-stay facility


• People who are the main carers for elderly or disabled individuals


• People who work in the health and social care industry who have direct contact with patients


If you’re not eligible for the free vaccination, many pharmacies offer private flu jabs – ask your local Careway pharmacist if they offer this service. There is no vaccine for the common


cold, but you can help protect yourself by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Washing your hands frequently when you’re around people with colds and avoiding touching your nose and eyes may also reduce your risk of catching an infection.


mucus. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a cough medicine or lozenges that will help relieve the symptoms of whichever type of cough you have, as the ingredients are usually different for each of them.


Do you need a flu jab?


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