Medicine for cold and cough: GP Guide

Summary: The common cold is a viral illness causing symptoms like nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. It lasts about 7 days in adults and up to 14 in children. Treatment mainly involves rest, fluids, saline drops, steam inhalation, and simple pain relief. Cold remedies and cough syrups offer limited benefit, especially in children and pregnancy. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms worsen, complications arise, or signs of dehydration or severe illness occur, particularly in young children and those with chronic conditions.

The common cold (often shortened to “a cold”) is a condition which resolves spontaneously, with or without specific medical treatment. Symptoms are usually mild and consist of; stuffiness in the nasal passageways with mucus discharge, sneezing, a sore throat, coughing and/or feeling general “under the weather” (with children feeling irritable and “not their normal self”, such as loss of appetite). Children can sometimes get a fever (38°C or higher), but this is more unusual with adults.

The incubation period of an illness is defined as the period of time between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms. For colds, there is a short incubation period of 48-72 hours.

On average, an adult can experience 3 colds a year. It is quite normal for preschool and primary school aged children to have up to 8 colds each year.

Cold and cough medicine for adults – tips & considerations

• It is a common misconception that antibiotics are required to treat colds (especially as the nasal discharge changes from clear to darker in colour), but this would be unusual medical practice as antibiotics are only able to treat bacterial infections. and most colds are caused by viruses.
• Symptoms of a cold will last approximately 7 days in adults and up to 14 days in children. However, the cough symptom can linger several weeks longer, and individuals can continue to pass the virus onto others during this time.
• Rest is an effective choice of treatment for the cold, although continuing with normal day-to-day activities is not thought to prolong the duration of symptoms. There is no need for children to be excluded from school / daycare unless they are feverish, as they will require close monitoring at home.
• Unless you have been otherwise advised against it by your doctor, drinking more than usual non-alcoholic fluids can help to thin mucus, making it easier to clear, and can help soothe a sore throat.
• Intranasal decongestants can ease breathing and consequently improve sleep; however prolonged use may cause a phenomenon called “rebound congestion” (worsening of nasal congestion). Instead, nasal saline drops could be trialled and/ or steam inhalation may help to relieve symptoms (such as sitting in the bathroom with a running hot shower). Vapour rubs may soothe breathing symptoms when applied to the chest and/or back.

Also read: Cold and flu: What to eat and drink, what to avoid

Cough and cold medicine for kids and during pregnancy

• Simple over the counter pain relief can help with symptomatic relief, but in preschool aged children this should be reserved only for when the child has a fever and/or appears distressed due to their symptoms. During pregnancy, certain medicines should generally be avoided, due to risks of harm to the foetus.
• There are various products available over-the-counter from pharmacies which are advertised as “cold and flu remedies”. In general, these should not be used because medical research & clinical data has not demonstrated clear advantageous benefit of these remedies & they may contain ingredients which could cause harm (particularly in children and pregnant ladies).
• Cough medicines/syrups also have limited proven benefit but are usually safe and may be useful for cough symptoms in adults and children over 6 years of age. A warm drink of honey and lemon can also be just as effective for cough and sore throat symptoms but should not be given to children under the age of 1 or those with diabetes. Adults could also try gargling with salt water.

Also read: Difference between cold, flu and covid | Hola Health

When to consult a doctor online via telehealth appointments

• The main complication of the common cold is a subsequent bacterial infection occurring after the virus. Therefore, if symptoms fail to improve as expected, it is important to seek medical attention. A face-to-face review with a clinician will be needed for a physical examination. Complications are more common in people who smoke and individuals who have issues with their immune system (for example those receiving chemotherapy) or a chronic health condition such as diabetes, heart failure, asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• In children, approximately 2 out of 10 individuals will develop an ear infection after a cold. This does not always require specific treatment, but it is advisable to seek medical attention for a physical examination.
• Young children and babies are particularly susceptible to dehydration when they are unwell. Seek urgent medical attention if they have a prolonged fever or develop other signs/symptoms such as abnormal sleepiness/lethargy, sunken eyes, drinking poorly or not at all, reduced tears, dry lips/tongue or a decreased urine output. Emergency medical attention is required for a child who has cold extremities, mottled skin, laboured breathing and/or a decreased level of consciousness.