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Coughs and colds

Cough, have a cold, feeling sick and coughing

Last updated: 25 January 2012

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What is Coughs and colds

Coughs and colds are very common viral illnesses that will affect most babies, children and adults. Sometimes it can seem as if a cough or cold goes on for ages, but it's more likely that one bout of illness is quickly followed by another because the immune system is already weakened.

What are the symptoms of Coughs and colds?

Symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, cough, streaming eyes, sore throat and, in some cases, earache. If your baby has a sore throat she may be reluctant to feed, and one indication of an earache is if she repeatedly pulls on her ear. Coughs and colds may also be accompanied by a mild fever.

If your child develops a bacterial infection as a result of a cough or cold, symptoms can include a fever, drowsiness, wheeziness or difficulty breathing.

What are the treatments and remedies of Coughs and colds?

Most coughs and colds don't need medical treatment, and government advice is that over-the-counter medicines (with the exception of simple cough mixtures) and treatments other than paracetamol and ibuprofen shouldn't be given to children under the age of six. The labelling on products to treat coughs was recently changed, so ask your pharmacist for up to date advice. The best home treatment is to ease any pain, discomfort or fever with the appropriate dose of paracetamol .If you are breastfeeding, offer plenty of breastfeeds or, if you are formula feeding, you can offer extra drinks of cooled, boiled water.You can help ease a stuffy nose by using saline drops, and this can be particularly helpful in babies who might otherwise have difficult in feeding because they can't breathe properly through their noses and feeding means they can't breathe through their mouths temporarily either.

Antibiotics aren't any use in treating most coughs and colds because they're ineffective against viruses. Sometimes, though, a bacterial illness will develop from a viral illness, in which case your GP might prescribe antibiotics.

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