Featured In: The Coalville Times, Friday, 25th November 2022

HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR Hanna Robbins

Winter Illness

WE’RE seeing another wave of winter illness, here’s a recap on when to get help. Please re- member this does not replace individual advice, if you’re worried then seek medical advice.

Adults:

• Most colds get better in 7 days
• Most ear infections get better in 5 days

See your community pharmacist if you need treatment, they are very experienced and trained to assess you and provide medication.

Children

• It’s normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year
• There are hundreds of different cold viruses, young children gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds
• Most colds get better in 7 days but can take 2 weeks in small children
• Give your child plenty of fluids
• Saline nose drops from the pharmacy can help unblock snot
• Most sore throats get better after a few days
• Children often cough because of snot trickling down the back of the throat
• If your child is eating, drinking and breathing normally, a cough is not usually anything to worry about
• Ear infections are common and often follow a cold
• Most ear infections get better within 3-4 days without needing treatment
• Hearing loss after an ear infection usually gets better within a few weeks – see your GP if it lasts longer
• If your child has fever, or is in pain, see your pharmacist for paracetamol or ibuprofen