Page 80 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

78 COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS

Common cold

Colds are common infections of the nose and throat that can be caused by more than 200 different, highly
contagious viruses. You are likely to pick up at least one or two colds a year, usually from the coughs and
sneezes of infected people. Children are even more susceptible because they have not built up immunity
to cold viruses. Typical symptoms are a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, reduced sense of taste and smell, a
sore throat, a dry cough, headache, and mild fever. Colds can be more serious in babies and elderly people.

See also Blocked or runny nose, p.77; Sore throat, p.81; Headache, p.85.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
Most people recover from a cold within a week,
but there are things you can do to make yourself Analgesics Acetaminophen (see p.177),
feel better in the meantime. aspirin (see p.179), or ibuprofen (see p.185) can help
to relieve headache, fever, and a sore throat.
● Drink at least 8 glasses of warm liquids a day
such as herbal teas and clear soups. Avoid tea CAUTION: Children should not use aspirin before a
and coffee. To relieve a sore throat, make a warm doctor is consulted about Reye’s syndrome (see p.179).
honey and lemon drink (see NATURAL REMEDIES, p.30). Cold and flu remedies (see p.180)
contain analgesics, decongestants, and antihistamines
● Take an analgesic or a cold remedy to relieve
to relieve a range of symptoms. Don’t use them with
discomfort (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). other analgesics because of the risk of overdose.
● Try a steam inhalation to clear a stuffy nose (see Decongestants (see p.181) in the form
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, opposite page). You can also of nasal sprays or drops containing phenylephrine
use saline nose drops (see DRUG REMEDIES, opposite or oxymetazoline can help clear a blocked nose.
page) or a decongestant (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). Antihistamines (see p.178) can help clear
up a runny nose and sneezing, although they tend
● Use paper tissues rather than handkerchiefs to
to dry out the nasal passages.
blow your nose. If your nose is sore, try tissues with
soothing ingredients such as aloe vera.
● Antihistamines may help to relieve a runny nose
and reduce sneezing (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). NATURAL REMEDIES
● You may be able to speed your recovery by
Zinc lozenges (see p.189), taken early on
taking zinc, and relieve the worst symptoms of a
in a cold, may help shorten the illness. Occasionally,
cold with echinacea (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right).
they cause a bad taste in the mouth and mild nausea.
● Do not smoke, and avoid smoky environments. Echinacea (see p.182), taken as a tincture
or capsules, can help reduce cold
symptoms and speed recovery.
Seek medical advice
Using
Arrange to see your doctor if: echinacea
● Your cold persists for more than 10 days The herb is
most effective
● You develop a severe sore throat or high
when taken
fever, or cough up yellow or green mucus
at the start
● You have an earache or face pain and/or
of a cold.
a greenish yellow nasal discharge