Cold and Flu

Many customers can have misconceptions about the duration of a cold or flu¹

Many customers underestimate the duration of a cold or flu. The worst cold & flu symptoms should be over in 4-5 days but complete recovery can take up to 10 days, and sometimes longer¹.

Adults experience an average of 2-4 colds a year²

The common cold is the conventional term used to describe a mild, self-limited, viral, upper respiratory tract infection.
It is characterised by nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, sore throat and cough.
The worst cold & flu symptoms should be over in 4-5 days but complete recovery from a cold or flu can take up to 10 days, and sometimes longer¹.
There is no cure for the common cold, and no medication is licensed to shorten the duration of infection².Treatment is therefore aimed at symptomatic relief.
The Common Cold is a self-treatable condition and advice can be sought from pharmacists to help reduce pressure on local GP services.

Symptoms
Symptoms of the common cold

Congestioncaused by an immune response to the cold virus leading to swelling of nasal blood vessels³.

Rhinorrhoea (runny nose)due to parasympathetic activity stimulating submucosal glands of the nasal mucosa to produce excessive nasal secretions⁴.

Sneezing,which often accompanies rhinorrhoea and is thought to occur due to the stimulation of sensory nerve endings in the mucous membrane

Sinus pressure,caused by a swelling of the sinuses which may lead to a blocked nose, pain and tenderness⁵.

Fever⁶

Chills⁶

Sore throat⁶

Headache⁶
When to refer
When to refer customers with a cold or flu symptoms to the GP

It is important to highlight to customers that you are able to offer cold & flu advice and product recommendations to help reduce the number of unnecessary GP appointments. There are times when customers will need to be referred to the doctor such as⁷:

Upper airway distress – indicated by a harsh vibrating sound while breathing, drooling, or an inability to swallow

Lower airway distress – indicated by laboured breathing

Severe headachelasting more than 7 days

Persistent coughlasting more than 3 weeks
Antibiotics advice
Antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu viruses¹

Customers seeking antibiotics for their cold & flu symptoms may require supportive education around self-treatable conditions and self-care practice¹. Self-care advice from NICE⁷ details:

Antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu and may cause adverse reactions

Adequate fluid should be taken to compensate for fever and mucous secretion

Remain as active as possible without feeling significant discomfort

Wash hands with warm water and soap to get rid of any germs that may have been picked up
Treatment
Treating common cold symptoms

Treatment for the common cold is aimed at symptomatic relief, and includes

Painkillers

Decongestants

Cough suppressants

Expectorants

Mucolytics

Sore throat lozenges

Sufferers may also employ comfort measurers and herbal remedies^8,9

Help your customers find effective relief for their cold & flu

Otrivine Extra Dual Relief Nasal Spray

Find out about pharmacy-only Otrivine Extra Dual Relief

Find out more

The Otrivine range

Find the right Otrivine product for your customers and patients

Find out more

Nurses product range

Find out how Night Nurse products can help support the work you do and how they can help your patients and customers with cold & flu symptoms.

Find out more

Learning Lab

Access educational resources to build your knowledge and skills.

Access resources

Products

Find out how our products can help your patients suffering from respiratory health issues and conditions.

Orders

Order now

References

PAGB – The battle against cold and flu. Available at: https://www.pagb.co.uk/content/uploads/2016/06/PAGB_The-battle-against-colds-and-flu_A5_8pp_leaflet_AW-1.pdf. Accessed on 25.09.19
Treatment of the common cold. British Medical Journal, available at: https://www.bmj.com/content/317/7150/33 - Last accessed 20.08.2019
Eccles R. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. The Lancet infectious diseases 2005;5(11):718-725
Hayden F, Diamond L, Wood PB, Sorts DC, Wrecker MT. Effectiveness and safety of intranasal ipratropium bromide in common colds. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of internal medicine 1996;125(2):89-97.
Sinusitis (sinus pain). NHS. Available online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/ Accessed 25/09/19.
Common Cold. NHS. Available online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/ Accessed 25/09/19.
NICE website – Common cold. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/common-cold#!scenario. Accessed on 25/09/19.
Worrall G. Common cold. Canadian family physician 2007;53(10):1735-1736.
Semisek Ms, Blandish D. Treatment of the common cold. American family physician 2007;75(4):515-520.

This site is intended for UK healthcare professionals only.

Haleon © 2024 Haleon group of companies or its licensor. All rights reserved. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the Haleon group of companies. This website is operated by Haleon UK Trading Limited, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 09237643 with its registered office at Building 5, First Floor, The Heights, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY.

CHGBI/CHGW/0011/19

Cold and Flu

Many customers can have misconceptions about the duration of a cold or flu1

Adults experience an average of 2-4 colds a year2

Symptoms of the common cold

When to refer customers with a cold or flu symptoms to the GP

Antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu viruses1

Treating common cold symptoms

Help your customers find effective relief for their cold & flu

Otrivine Extra Dual Relief Nasal Spray

The Otrivine range

Nurses product range

Learning Lab

Products

Orders

References

Many customers can have misconceptions about the duration of a cold or flu¹

Adults experience an average of 2-4 colds a year²

Antibiotics are ineffective for cold & flu viruses¹