This is an infectious viral illness especially prevalent in winter, and can be spread by coughs and sneezes. Although not nice, you'll usually begin to feel better within about a week.
Flu is caused by a different group of viruses to a cold and the symptoms tend to start more suddenly, be more severe and last longer. They include a high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headache, aches and pains, and a cough. If you’re otherwise fit and healthy, there’s no need to see a doctor. The best remedy is rest at home, staying warm and drinking water to avoid dehydration. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease symptoms. If they get worse or haven’t improved after a week, you should seek medical help.
NHS 24 call handler Diane Rock says the festive season is a busy time for the out-of-hours service. Earache is a common problem, particularly for children, and is usually caused by a minor infection that will often get better within a few days without treatment. You can use over-the-counter painkillers to treat the pain and your pharmacist will also be able to advise on the best way of treating symptoms and may be able to recommend eardrops. You should contact your GP, or NHS 24 if out of hours, if the earache doesn’t improve within a few days, something is stuck in the ear or if you or your child have symptoms such as a fever, vomiting, severe sore throat, swelling or discharge from the ear.
▼ If you receive regular prescriptions, make sure you have enough medication to take you through the Christmas and New Year period until your GP surgery opens again.Tis the season for coughs and colds, so stock up on painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin which will help to lower your temperature too if you have a fever.Tummy ailments such as diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion are particularly common at this time of year so keep a supply of over-the-counter medicines to help with those symptoms.It’s always a good idea to keep a basic first aid kit at home to treat minor cuts, bruises and burns. Antiseptic cream or wipes, multi-sized plasters, bandage, gauze and tape should be top of the shopping list.Kids require different dosages to adults so make sure you have junior versions of essential medicines such as painkillers and cough mixtures so you know exactly how much to give them when they’re unwell.Often used to treat allergic reactions or conditions such as rashes, antihistamines are a good thing to keep at home to help provide relief from milder symptoms.
Keep plasters and bandages at home for minor scrapes, burns, cuts and bruises. If you’ve had a nasty accident and need treatment but it’s not a lifethreatening situation you can go to a minor injury unit. To find the nearest one to you anywhere in Scotland, check the Service Directory on nhsinform.scot.