HINTS FOR RELIEF FROM COLDS and FLU

 1) FLUIDS: Plenty of water, supplemented by orange, cranberry or blackcurrant juice, and occasional Lemonade.  Very soothing is a Lemon/Honey hot drink.

 2) STEAM INHALATIONS: Use a small dollop of an inhalation mixture (Vicks Vapour Rub similar) in hot water, and inhale through the nose - with a towel over your head to help trap the steam.  This helps to decongest airways and moisten a dry throat.

 3) PAIN RELIEF: Aspirin in combination with Paracetamol (Panadol) can be used to make headaches and sore throats bearable.  Follow the packet instructions.

 4) VITAMIN C: Needed for repairing respiratory linings, and is best supplied by natural means e.g. oranges, lemons, kiwifruit and mandarins.  Vitamin C is thought to decrease some of the cold symptoms but will not prevent you getting a cold.  If you want to take Vitamin C capsules, 500mg per day is more than enough.

 5) THAT ANNOYING COUGH: Usually at the tail end of a cold, it can be reduced by occasional cough lozenges - break these up to smaller fragments - suck as needed.  Lozenges are also helpful for easing sore throats.  Cough mixtures - preferably a suppressant formula - can also help.

  Another trick to ease that bedtime cough is taking two Panadeine (Paracetamol 500mg/Codeine 8mg) before retiring, a glass of water, and suck a lozenge before going to sleep.  Consider a second dose if at least 4 hours have passed.

 Get plenty of rest and good nutritious food. Chicken soup has immunological and healing properties.  Avoiding irritating smoke will also aid recovery e.g. cigarette smoke.

 See a doctor if symptoms worsen or if you have breathlessness, wheezing or chest pain.