Colds and Runny Noses

Introduction
Colds start with feeling unwell, sniffing, 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 occur with a normal cold but it can in small children. The nose is linked to the ears, sinuses and throat, therefore the cold can spread there. This can result in middle ear infection or sinusitis, often with a fever. 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 cold symptoms. A cold usually gets better after 5 to 10 days. If there is no fever, some-one with a cold may go out of doors as normal and need not be afraid of catching another cold on top.

Symptoms
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
Slightly raised body temperature

Treatment: What you can do for yourself
Keep the room well ventilated and sleep with the window open and your head slightly raised. Do not smoke.
If you are suffering from a blocked nose or blocked ears, rinse your nose with salt water or nose drops, suck a menthol sweet or gargle salt water or soluble Aspirin or Paracetamol. You may have to do this for more than a week. Drink plenty, take vitamin C (fresh orange) and decongestant.

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