Colds, flu and runny noses

Most people will develop a cold of flu once or twice each year.
The symptoms are fever, aches and pains, headache, sore throat
and a stuffy nose.The best treatment is available from a chemist. 
Paracetamol helps fever and headache. Decongestants such as
Sudafed or Lemsips help the stuffiness and runny nose.

A cold will not be helped with antibiotics. A sore throat doesn't
usually respond either unless there is tonsillitis.

See a doctor if;

the tonsils are enlarged and covered with white spots. This
 is tonsillitis and may be helped with antibiotics.

cough with green sputum or phlegm. This suggests a chest infection 
which would benefit from antibiotics.

severe headache, particularly if associated with high fever,
light hurting the eyes or a red rash which doesn't fade when you press it.
These are the symptoms of meningitis. THIS IS RARE !

Flu and pneumonia jabs

The flu jab is available in October to anyone. It prevents influenza
but not normal colds. We particularly recommend it to the elderly 
or those with problems like asthma or emphysema who could become
very unwell with flu.
The pneumonia jab prevents one form of chest infection or pneumonia We recommend it to anyone with lung or heart disease or diabetes.