08/12/2025
🌬️ Coughs, Colds & Flu — What You Need to Know This Winter ❄️
As we head into the colder months, many of us will experience coughs, colds, sore throats and flu-like illnesses. These are very common and are usually caused by viruses, which means antibiotics will not help you get better.
🦠 Why antibiotics won’t work:
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral ones. Taking them when they’re not needed won’t speed up your recovery and can cause side effects. It also contributes to antibiotic resistance, which makes it harder to treat serious infections in the future.
💙 Self-care advice:
Most viral illnesses will improve with:
Plenty of rest
Drinking fluids
Over-the-counter pain relief (e.g. paracetamol/ibuprofen)
Keeping warm
Advice from your local pharmacist
⏳ When to seek medical help:
Contact us or NHS 111 if:
Symptoms worsen instead of improving
You still feel unwell after 3 weeks
You have chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood
You feel very unwell or have a long-term health condition that may put you at higher risk
Most people will start to feel better on their own within a week or two — but we’re here if you need us.
Let’s all use antibiotics responsibly and keep our community healthy this winter. 💙
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