Symptoms such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and headache can be relieved by a variety of over-the-counter medicines. You can get advice from a pharmacist about which are most suitable for you and your symptoms.

• Nasal decongestants may ease breathing.
• The symptoms can be relieved by warm drinks.
• Sleep with the head on a high pillow.
• There is no need to reduce daily activities but you should expect to become tired more easily.
• Avoid smoking; it irritates the mucous membrane of the nose further.

Coughs and colds in children will usually go away on their own in a few days. If your child seems uncomfortable or has a fever you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and lower their temperature. If they have a cough, a simple cough syrup containing glycerol, honey or lemon is best. For children over two years of age other medicines are available over-the-counter - ask your pharmacist for advice. Any medicine should be administered carefully using the spoon or measuring device supplied to ensure the maximum dose is not exceeded.

For young babies who are having difficulty feeding due to a stuffy nose, saline nasal drops, available from pharmacies, can be helpful to thin and clear nasal secretions. Vapour rubs and inhalant decongestants, which can be applied to a child’s clothing, can also be used to provide relief from a stuffy nose.

Avoid using more than one cough and cold medicine at the same time, particularly when treating children's symptoms. Different medicines may contain the same active ingredient(s) and using more than one may lead to you exceeding the maximum recommended dose(s). Ask your pharmacist for more advice.

Throw away paper tissues after use to prevent the spread of infection.