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The Little Surgery

  [information leaflets] Coughs, Colds and Sore Throats
 
This information leaflet is designed to give general advice and guidance.
It is not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice, and if you have a medical problem you should consult your own doctor.
  [nasty looking virus] Coughs, colds, sore throats, and 'flu are usually due to viruses, and can not be cured by prescription antibiotics. Here are some tips to help you look after yourself at home.
Stay at home if possible. Going to work will spread the disease and may delay your recovery. If you need a few days off work, you may need to get a "self certificate". You get these from your employer. The surgery does not issue certificates for illnesses lasting less than 7 days.

Keep warm and rested. You will feel tired because your body is using energy to fight the virus. Give your body the rest it needs.

Drink plenty of fluids. You may not feel like eating solid food, try soup instead.

Take vitamin C. This helps your body to defeat the virus. You can buy vitamin C from the chemist and should take 1 gram three times a day. School age children should have half this dose. You can also get vitamin C from fruit, especially oranges, and orange juice.

Take paracetamol, which will bring your temperature down, and ease your sore thoat and muscle aches. Most people can take paracetamol safely. If in doubt, ask your chemist for advice. It is particularly important to keep young children cool and to give them paracetamol if they run a high temperature.

There is no need to spend a lot of money on cough medicines. They usually don't work. Take soothing drinks or use a simple, soothing cough linctus instead.

If you smoke - STOP !

When should you visit the doctor?

If your cough or cold is lasting longer than 8 days, and if you are getting worse instead of better.

If you suffer from serious asthma, lung or heart conditions, are diabetic, or have other serious health problems.

If you develop chest pain, or start coughing up a large amount of green or yellow phlegm from your lungs.

If the back of your throat or your tonsils are covered in lots of white spots.

If you develop severe headaches, vomiting, or unusual rashes.

Babies and very young children should be brought to the surgery for a check over if they are ill.

 
Any comments, compliments or complaints to the web-weaver
Dr Ruth Livingstone at ruth.livingstone@ukonline.co.uk
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