10/12/2025
We are seeing a huge increase in winter viruses, many of these can be managed at home and you don't need to come and see us.
Our clinical team recommend:
You ️get plenty of rest
drink lots of fluid, such as water, to avoid dehydration
eat healthy food (it's common for small children to lose their appetite for a few days)
gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
drink a hot lemon and honey drink to soothe a sore throat
breathe in steam to ease a blocked nose – try sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running
You can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets.
A pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine, such as:
💊medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease aches or lower a temperature
💊decongestant nasal sprays, drops or tablets to unblock your nose (decongestants should not be used by children under 6)
💊vapour rubs to help ease chesty coughs in babies and small children
💊You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse.
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Antibiotics only work if you have a bacterial infection, but colds are caused by viruses.
We also want to minimise the spread of viruses, so please try and manage your symptoms away from the practice where there will be vulnerable people who may become very unwell because of their existing conditions.
