Medicines And Treatments For Cold

Most people who have a cold and who are generally healthy and

well will get better in 7–10 days without any treatment, because the

body's immune system can take care of the infection on its own.

Colds are caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help. Antibiotics

do not kill viruses.

Rest is important if you have a cold because it helps your immune

system fight the cold and can make you feel better.

See your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if your symptoms

don't improve after 10 days.

What can I do to relieve my symptoms?

Rest

Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic fluids

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke

Inhale steam to help relieve a blocked nose. Supervise your child

while they breathe in steam from a hot bath or shower in a closed

room.

gargling with warm salty water

sucking on an ice cube or a throat lozenge

drinking hot water with honey and lemon — a simple and effective

home remedy.

Medicines for managing the symptoms of a cold

paracetamol and ibuprofen for relieving pain and fever

decongestants and saline nasal sprays or drops for relieving a

blocked nose.

combination 'cough and cold' medicines

complementary medicines (e.g. vitamin C, zinc, echinacea).

Medicines for relieving pain and fever

Adults and children older than 1 month can take paracetamol.

Adults and children older than 3 months can take ibuprofen.

The dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen for children is worked out

according to how much your child weighs. Read more about

measuring and administering a child's dose of medicine.

Some people may not be able to take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Do not give aspirin for pain or fever to children younger than 12

years as it may cause serious side effects.

Do not use aspirin for fever in children younger than 16 years.

Some tips for using pain and fever medicines safely

Paracetamol (or ibuprofen) is also a common ingredient in some cold and flu

medicines, so it is important to check the active ingredients on the label of your

medicine to avoid "doubling up" and taking other medicines that also contain

paracetamol.

It is important that you tell your health professional about all the medicines you or

anyone in your care is taking — including prescription, over-the-counter and

complementary (herbal, 'natural', vitamin or mineral supplements) medicines. This is

because all medicines, including herbal and natural medicines, can cause side effects

and may interact with other medicines.

Some medicines cannot be taken by people with particular medical conditions, by

people who are also taking certain other medicines, by young children, during

pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Medicines to relieve a blocked nose (nasal congestion)

Medicated nasal decongestants must not be used in babies younger than 6

months, as rebound congestion may cause breathing difficulty. Decongestants

containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline or xylometazoline

must not be used in children younger than 6 years. Use salt water (saline) nasal

sprays or drops instead of a nasal decongestant for these children.

Before using any medicine, check with a doctor or pharmacist about the safest

one for you or your child. Always read the information on the label and the

consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet that comes with your medicine.

See your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if your symptoms don't improve

after 10 days.

'Cough and cold' medicines

Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children younger than 6 years

old. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner for advice before giving cough

and cold medicines to children aged 6 to 11 years.

Before using any medicine, check with a doctor or pharmacist about the safest

one for you or your child. Always read the information on the label and the

consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet that is available from your

pharmacist.

Complementary medicines

While some people may find vitamins (e.g. vitamin C), mineral supplements (e.g.

zinc) or herbal medicines (e.g. echinacea) helpful, there is not enough

information from good quality clinical trials to show that vitamin or mineral

supplements or herbal medicines help to treat or prevent respiratory tract

infections.

There is also generally limited information on the safety of vitamins, minerals and

complementary medicines, and some can cause side effects.

Severe bacterial infection following a cold

Very occasionally, you can get a second infection caused by bacteria that is a

complication of your cold. This kind of infection is not common (occurring in about 2

in 100 people who have a cold). Most people (80%) who have this kind of infection

won't need antibiotics even though it is caused by bacteria, as the body's immune

system will take care of the infection after about 2 weeks. Some people are more at

risk of complications or may get very sick, so these people will be given antibiotics

to prevent such complications.

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