Accurate, balanced evidence-based information about medicines
Common colds: Information for schools Common colds: Information for schools
Antibiotics are completely ineffective against common colds, which are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Using antibiotics when they are not needed will only contribute to the worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance and make antibiotics less useful when they really are needed.
Antibiotics only work on bacteria, not on viruses. Common colds are caused by viruses and usually get better on their own in 7–10 days.
Instead, encourage parents of children with colds to help their child take it easy, relieve the symptoms and to take their children to their doctor or pharmacist if symptoms get worse.
Resources
Newsletter articles
Use our free short articles in your newsletters to parents. Choose from:
- Know the evidence before you buy — important advice on specific medicines for kids.
- 10 plus 10 equals ... less colds — promoting handwashing.
- Green snot is good! The body is beating the cold — myth busting.
- Stay or go — advice about when children should stay at home.
Interactive story books
Enjoy reading these interactive online books with your child on the computer.
Note: You will need the free Macromedia Flash Player to read these online books. If you don't have this, you can download it here.
Don't spread it!
Congratulations to Litchfield Christian School. Read their book, Don't spread it!, judged the winner of the NPS Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics schools competition 2007.
Harvey catches a cold and visits the doctor
Parents can read our interactive online version with your children at home or borrow the book from your public library. Harvey visits Dr Steve with his mother and father.
Harvey catches a cold
Parents and young children will enjoy this online children's book released in 2005, Harvey catches a cold, introducing Harvey the wombat who beats his cold without antibiotics.
Poster
Keep your cold under control
Display in your entry foyer or on walls or doors.
Screensaver
Commons colds screensaver
Download our fun screensaver (for PC and Mac) to see Harvey practise managing his cold. Send a get well email message with the screensaver, to a friend with a cold.
Brochure
Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics
Display brochures on your noticeboards and in sign-in areas. (Updated May 2008.)
This brochure explains the limited role of antibiotics for treating colds, provides common sense and evidence-based advice on treating symptoms and alerts parents to symptoms that should be seen by a doctor.
