CHORLEY
& SOUTH RIBBLE PRIMARY CARE GROUP
Guide to treating Colds and Flu
Are you reading this with a handkerchief
stuck to your nose? Chances are a few days ago you shook hands
with someone suffering from a cold or flu. You really do catch
cold and flu from touch as well as sneezes. Worse still, antibiotics
are no help in the battle.
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Cold |
Flu |
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Creeps
up sneakily
Temperature rises after 24 hours
Near normal appetite
Slight headache
Blocked or runny nose and sneezing
Sore throat
Tiredness
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Rapid
attack
Temperature rise within 24 hours
Poor appetite
Often severe headache
All over aches and pains
Feeling sick and vomiting
Generally exhausted
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Counter attack
Forget antibiotics - they won’t
make any difference for a simple cold or flu. Instead you can visit
your pharmacist for advice but be prepared for the pharmacist or
counter staff to ask about your symptoms.
- Some people need to be even more careful
than others about taking medicines. You will be asked if the person
who is ill, is a child, elderly, pregnant or breast feeding and
also whether they have asthma or any other chest complaint.
- A good clue to what you have is how long
you’ve been suffering. You may be advised to see your doctor
if you have had the symptoms for longer than two weeks, or if
symptoms are severe.
- Some medicines interact badly with each
other. Tell your pharmacist about any medicines, including herbal
or complementary remedies, that you are already taking.
- Older people or those suffering from long
standing illnesses, such as asthma or other chest complaints,
diabetes, heart conditions or those with a cough lasting more
than two weeks, should give their general practice a ring. Your
doctor will also be able to advise you on the flu jab.
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