What are the treatments for coughs and colds?
There is no magic cure! Typically, symptoms are worse in the first 2-3 days, and then ease over the next few days. An irritating cough may linger for up to 2-4 weeks after other symptoms have gone. Antibiotics do not kill viruses, so are of no use for common coughs and colds. Treatment aims to ease symptoms whilst the immune system clears the virus. The most useful treatment is to give paracetamol (Calpol, Disprol, Tixymol, etc) to ease aches and pains, headaches, and fever. Ibuprofen is an alternative. Also, make sure your child has enough to drink. Dehydration (low body fluid) may develop if a child has a fever and does not drink much. You can buy various other ‘cold remedies’ and ‘cough mixtures’. There is little evidence that they do much good, but some people find them useful. Note: they often contain several ingredients. Some may make children sleepy (which may be useful at bedtime). Some contain paracetamol, so be careful not to give more than the maximum dose of paracetamol if
