Dryden
Brown Ltd
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COLDS AND RUNNY NOSES
A cold
is an infection caused by a virus. It starts with feeling
unwell, sniffling, runny and/or blocked nose. After 1 to
2 days the nose starts to run with a watery, clear fluid
which then becomes thick and green. A high temperature does
not necessarily occur with a normal cold except in small
children. Because the nose is linked to the ears, sinuses
and throat, the cold can spread there. This can result in
middle ear infection or sinusitis, often with a fever. A
frequent and annoying cough may start because the mucus
runs down the back of the throat and tickles the airways.
Other symptoms linked with a cold are: sneezing, hoarseness,
sore throat and a slightly raised body temperature.
There
are more than 1,000 types of cold virus, so immunisation
is not possible. There are no medicines against these viruses,
and antibiotics do not help either. You can only treat
a cold's symptoms.
A cold
usually gets better after 5 to 10 days. If there is no fever,
someone with a cold may go out of doors as normal. Do not
be afraid that you will catch another cold.
What
you can do yourself
Keep
the room well ventilated and sleep with the window open.
Use extra pillows at night or raise the head of the
bed. Do not smoke. If you are suffering badly from a
blocked nose or blocked ears, rinse out your nose with
salt water or nose drops (see section on medicines),
suck a menthol sweet or gargle salt water or soluble
aspirin for a sore throat. You may have to do this for
more than a week. Medicines for relieving symptoms are
obtainable from a pharmacy.
If
you have a temperature and/or achiness try taking paracetamol
regularly.
Try to avoid infecting other people. Cover the mouth
and nose when you sneeze. Do not shake people's hands.
Wash your hands often (viruses are passed hand to hand!).
BABIES
It
is difficult for a baby with a blocked nose to drink
from the breast or bottle. The baby will decide not
to drink rather than to choke. The baby then becomes
hungry and will cry more. The baby can only drink again
once the nose is clear. This occurs only after sneezing,
which may be brought about by dropping warm water (which
should be boiled and left to cool) into the nose using
a pipette. If warm water is not successful ask your
pharmacist for salt water nose drops.
Use salt water nose drops sparingly in babies under
18 months of age, try to avoid the baby swallowing the
water.
CHILDREN
OVER 1 YEAR
Colds
are normal among children particularly if they go to
places where there are many other children, like child
minders, play schools or nurseries.
When they have a cold give them enough to drink. Hot drinks
can have a soothing effect. They may go outdoors.
Give them paracetamol for temperatures.
Do not give aspirin to children under sixteen years
of age.
Contact
your doctor
 If
you have a (severe) pain in the ears or sinuses. Pain
from the sinuses is felt next to the nose, in the upper
jaw or above and behind the eyes.
If
as well as the cold there is a high temperature/fever
which lasts longer than 3 days.
If
you think that the child is in pain and the pain hasn't
been helped by a full recommended dose of paracetamol.
If
green or yellow mucus comes out of the nose for longer
than 1 to 2 weeks.
If
a baby continues to cry.
Contact
your doctor immediately
If
despite the above treatment babies still cannot or will
not take feeds on 2 occasions.
To order
your copy of a What should I do? booklet
use one of the following methods:
On-line
Shop
Phone: +44 (0) 23 8022
9041
Fax: +44 (0) 23
8022 7274
 
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