May 04, 2015

Effective treatments for the common cold

Listen Later

9 minutes

Rachel Jones talks to Dr Bruce Arroll about effective treatments for the common cold and how to avoid antibiotic prescriptions.

What to do when you have a cold

Take time off work or school.

Do not pass it on, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

Wash your hands regularly.

It may take up to a month for the cough to go away.

Your symptoms should be getting better with time.

See your doctor or go immediately to hospital if you feel very unwell or develop a rash. Or call your GP practice - They will also have an after-hours call service who can advise you.

Get the influenza injection each year. You may be eligible for a free one.

Take regular paracetamol/ibuprofen.

Don’t spend money on expensive cough mixtures - most don’t work very well.l

Use Vicks on your chest and under your nose (there is evidence that this works in over 2-year-olds)- helps with cough particularly with children.

Use over the counter nasal sprays to clear up congestion.

Give honey (there is evidence that it works). 1 tsp for 1-5-year-olds (not for children under 1 year).

Avoid antibiotics they don’t work and cause side effects usually vomiting and diarrhoea.

...more

View all episodes

View all episodes

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

Goodfellow Unit

By The Goodfellow Unit (University of Auckland)

May 04, 2015

Effective treatments for the common cold

Listen Later

9 minutes

Rachel Jones talks to Dr Bruce Arroll about effective treatments for the common cold and how to avoid antibiotic prescriptions.

What to do when you have a cold

Take time off work or school.

Do not pass it on, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

Wash your hands regularly.

It may take up to a month for the cough to go away.

Your symptoms should be getting better with time.

See your doctor or go immediately to hospital if you feel very unwell or develop a rash. Or call your GP practice - They will also have an after-hours call service who can advise you.

Get the influenza injection each year. You may be eligible for a free one.

Take regular paracetamol/ibuprofen.

Don’t spend money on expensive cough mixtures - most don’t work very well.l

Use Vicks on your chest and under your nose (there is evidence that this works in over 2-year-olds)- helps with cough particularly with children.

Use over the counter nasal sprays to clear up congestion.

Give honey (there is evidence that it works). 1 tsp for 1-5-year-olds (not for children under 1 year).

Avoid antibiotics they don’t work and cause side effects usually vomiting and diarrhoea.

...more

More shows like Goodfellow Unit

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,912 Listeners

Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

2,006 Listeners

The Tennis Podcast by The Tennis Podcast

The Tennis Podcast

1,394 Listeners

The Resus Room by Simon Laing, Rob Fenwick & James Yates

The Resus Room

96 Listeners

The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast by The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

3,369 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,463 Listeners

Emergency Medical Minute by Emergency Medical Minute

Emergency Medical Minute

275 Listeners

The Good GP by The Good GP

The Good GP

19 Listeners

The Podcasts of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care by RNZCUC

The Podcasts of the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care

4 Listeners

Today in Focus by The Guardian

Today in Focus

1,012 Listeners

RCGP eLearning Podcast by RCGP eLearning Podcast

RCGP eLearning Podcast

7 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

15,525 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

3,881 Listeners

ZOE Science & Nutrition by ZOE

ZOE Science & Nutrition

2,144 Listeners

The Rest Is Entertainment by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Entertainment

913 Listeners