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Information: Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics Information: Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics

Take it easy

Relieve the symptoms

See your doctor or pharmacist if it gets worse

 

What are common colds?

Common colds are infections of the respiratory tract. Symptoms can include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat and coughing. Green or yellow mucus may come from the nose. It is a sign that the immune system is fighting the infection and does not mean the cold is getting worse. Fever is generally mild when it does occur.

Colds are common. In fact:

  • Children can get 5–10 colds per year; adults can get 2–4 colds per year.
  • Children get more colds than adults because they do not have the same immunity to many cold viruses as adults do.
  • More than 200 different viruses can cause common colds.

Common colds usually get better in 7–10 days. A cough is often the last thing to improve and can last up to 3 weeks.

Common colds rarely cause serious harm. Children with colds can go to childcare, preschool and school as long as they feel well enough to participate.

Colds are not flu

Influenza (or flu) is a serious illness. A 'common cold' is often called the 'flu', but they are different. Flu symptoms usually start suddenly with a high fever and you may feel sick enough to go to bed. Symptoms can also include irritation in the throat or lungs, a dry cough, shivering, sweating and severe muscle aches. The flu tends to make the whole body ache, whereas the common cold usually affects the nose and throat only.

Influenza vaccine is recommended in Autumn for people who are at risk of serious complications. See your doctor for more information about vaccination for you and your family or visit www.fightflu.com.au. Influenza vaccination will not prevent you from getting common colds as they are different viruses. 

How are common colds spread?

Common colds are usually caught from other people. Colds can be passed on through touching hands or objects (e.g. tissues and toys) or by breathing in droplets from sneezes or coughs.

To help prevent the spread of colds, encourage children and adults to:

  • cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing
  • keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth
  • use paper tissues to blow their nose, and throw tissues away after use
  • wash hands with soap, particularly before preparing and eating food and after blowing their nose
  • avoid sharing cups, glasses and cutlery.

Will antibiotics help?

Common colds, flu and most coughs are caused by viruses and get better on their own. Antibiotics work only on infections caused by bacteria and have no effect on viruses. Your immune system can fight and overcome these viruses.

Antibiotics:

  • won't help a cold get better faster
  • won't stop a cold from getting worse
  • won't stop a cold spreading to other people.

Using antibiotics when they are not needed may make them less effective when they are needed. They can cause unwanted side effects like stomach upsets, diarrhoea, thrush and allergic reactions.

Some special cases

Some ear and throat infections may be caused by either viruses or bacteria, but most will get better on their own. Discuss managing pain relief with your pharmacist or doctor. Complications are rare.

Research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are much more likely to develop complications (e.g. pneumonia and ear damage) from respiratory tract infections. These may involve bacterial infections so antibiotics may be needed more often.

What will help?

Take it easy

  • Drink something soothing. Encourage children to drink their usual amount of fluids.
  • Rest may also help to fight the virus and help you or your child feel better.
  • Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

Relieve the symptoms

  • You can relieve symptoms, with or without medicines.
  • Remember that all medicines can cause unwanted effects. Some medicines cannot be taken by people with particular medical conditions, by people who are also taking certain other medicines, by the young or elderly, during pregnancy or when breast feeding. To choose the best medicine for you or your child ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice and always read the label.

Things you can try to relieve blocked sinuses, clear mucus or dry a runny nose

  • Saline (salt water) sprays or drops can help clear mucus.
  • Inhale steam from the shower. Children should only inhale steam from a shower as steam from a bowl of hot water can burn the lining of a child's nose and the hot water can be spilled.
  • Decongestants, for the nose, help some adults. These are available in different tablets, mixtures, nasal sprays and drops. Some decongestants are not safe if you have certain health conditions (e.g. heart problems) or take other medicines. Decongestants are unlikely to be effective for children under 12 years and they can cause serious side effects. Always ask your pharmacist or doctor whether a decongestant is safe for you or your child.
  • Use an ointment to soothe dry and chapped skin around the nose.

Things you can try to soothe a sore throat or cough

  • Try gargling warm salty water.
  • Suck on ice or a throat lozenge.
  • Common pain relief medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin can ease the pain of a sore throat. Some people cannot use these medicines.
  • Aspirin is not suitable for children and some adults. Ask your doctor or pharmacist and always read the label to make sure what you are using is safe for you or your child.
  • Various combination 'cough and cold' and 'cold and flu' medicines are available but there are few good quality clinical trials proving their effectiveness, particularly in children. They may not be suitable for use in children under 2 years.

Using vitamin or mineral supplements, herbal and natural medicines

All medicines, including herbal and natural medicines, can cause unwanted effects and may interact with other medicines. The benefits and risks of herbal and natural medicines may not have been tested.

For children

There is not enough information from good quality clinical trials to show that vitamin or mineral supplements or herbal medicines help treat or prevent colds in children. In addition there is not enough evidence to prove their safety, and some can cause side effects.

For adults

  • Vitamin C supplements have not been shown to prevent colds or give reliable effects in treating colds.
  • Zinc has not been shown to shorten the length of a cold or the severity of symptoms. It can also cause side effects.
  • Echinacea medicines available differ greatly and most have not been tested in good quality clinical trials. Clinical trials suggest that echinacea is unlikely to prevent or treat common colds.

See your doctor if it gets worse

Common colds may aggravate ongoing medical conditions (e.g. asthma or diabetes). See your doctor if this occurs.

Some serious diseases may initially appear like a cold or flu but may require urgent medical attention. The best thing to do is to see your doctor if the symptoms come on suddenly, are severe or last longer than usual.

See your doctor if you or your child develops any of the following:

  • temperature higher than 38.5 oC or chills
  • neck stiffness
  • severe headache
  • light hurting the eyes
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath, noisy or fast breathing or difficulty breathing
  • a skin rash
  • pale or mottled skin
  • vomiting
  • difficulty waking up or unusual drowsiness
  • persistent cough
  • aching muscles

OR if your child or baby has any of the following:

  • bulging of the fontanelle (soft spot on top of the baby's head)
  • a high temperature (in babies under 6 months of age)
  • excessive irritability
  • a strange, high-pitched cry
  • lack of energy
  • loss of appetite/not drinking/feeding poorly
  • earache.

Your doctor can check the severity of the illness, tell you how long it may last, give advice on treatment and provide a medical certificate if needed.

Make sure your child's immunisations are up to date.

Date published: 2008-07-01 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

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