Coughs, colds and flu

Is it a cold, flu or worse?

Your nose is running, your throat is sore and your head feels full of cotton wool but just how bad is it? Check your symptoms and find out what medication to be taking.

Flu symptoms

Aching, headaches, cough and fever of between 38-40 degrees C.

Cold symptoms

The infection is spread by airborne droplets when the sufferer coughs or sneezes

Coughing - the dangers

Don't supress your cough because ineffective clearance of the airway can lead to a chest infection and possible pneumonia.

Sore throat and the possibly complications

A sore throat is partly a disease in itself and partly an effect of other diseases such as flu and glandular fever. The incubation period between picking up the infection until the disease breaks out, is two to four days or sometimes less.

Is it viral or bacterial?

Viruses can't multiply on their own, so they have to invade a 'host' cell. Bacteria are capable of multiplying by themselves, as they have the power to divide.

Symptoms of Glandular Fever

Before the disease breaks out, one to two weeks may pass with symptoms that are similar to those of flu so make sure you know the signs of glandular fever.

Symptoms of tonsillitis

The tonsils swell, become red and inflamed and may show a surface coating of white spots.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is still a common disease. Many people die from it every year, most commonly women and people over the age of 70. The overall death rate due to pneumonia is currently 5 per cent.