Common cold
Overview
You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You should begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks.
Symptoms
Cold symptoms come on gradually over 2 to 3 days. The main symptoms include: a blocked or runny nosesneezinga sore throata hoarse voicea coughfeeling tired and unwell You may also have: a high temperatureaching musclesa loss of taste and smella feeling of pressure in your ears and face Symptoms of a cold can last longer in young children. They may also be irritable, have difficulty feeding and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and get sick after coughing.
Treatment
You can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets. A pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine, such as: medicines likeparacetamoloribuprofento ease aches or lower a temperaturedecongestant nasal sprays, drops or tabletsto unblock your nose (decongestants should not be used by children under 6)vapour rubs to help ease chesty coughs in babies and small children You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse. Do not use other cough and cold medicines if you're also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as you may take more medicine than you should. Some cough and cold medicines are also not suitable for babies, children and pregnant women. There's little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help you get better more quickly.
Prevention
Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. You're infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. It can be longer in babies and young children. Colds are spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. To reduce the risk of spreading a cold: wash your hands often with warm water and soapuse tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneezebin used tissues as quickly as possible A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished. The best ways to avoid catching a cold are: washing your hands with warm water and soapnot sharing towels or household items (like cups or children's toys) with someone who has a coldnot touching your eyes or nose in case you've come into contact with the virusstaying fit and healthy The flu vaccine does not prevent colds.