Frequently asked questions

Cold and flu diagnosis accordion

  • Colds

    Colds

    • Do I have a cold or the flu?

      Do I have a cold or the flu?

      Although the common cold and the flu are caused by different viruses, it can be hard to determine exactly which one you have.1 Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly whilst cold symptoms occur more slowly.2

      Cold symptoms often begin with a headache and sneezing. After one or two days, this typically gives way to nasal symptoms and congestion along with a cough, which can last for about a week. Fever is uncommon in adults when you have a cold, but is possible.2

      Symptoms of flu include fever, sore throats, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, congestion and coughs.2 Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five days, but it's not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more.3

    • How many colds am I likely to get each year?

      How many colds am I likely to get each year?

      Most people tend to get between 2 and 5 colds per year.1,3 Children may get colds more often than adults, because they haven’t yet built up an immunity.

    • Why do children catch so many colds?

      Why do children catch so many colds?

      Children get fewer colds as they get older because their immune systems become stronger. Colds are usually more common in the colder months when children are inside and in close contact with others.5 Younger children tend to get colds more easily as they have yet to build up immunity to the many different cold viruses around. Children with older brothers and sisters and those who attend nursery may get more colds.

    • My child has a cold. What medicine should I use?

      My child has a cold. What medicine should I use?

      There isn't a cure for the common cold. The best you can do is to treat the symptoms so that your child can get back to normal as quickly as possible.4

      Analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to ease aches and pains, headaches, and fever.2 Otrivin Junior Spray helps relieve nasal congestion in children aged 6 to 11 years old. Your doctor can provide you with more information.

       

    • How can I treat a cold?

      How can I treat a cold?

      There is no cure for the cold. However, there are steps you can take to help manage the symptoms:6

      - Get plenty of rest.6
      - Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol, to prevent dehydration.7
      - If you have a sore throat, try gargling with salt water or sucking on menthol sweets.6
      - If you have a headache and/or a fever, consider using paracetamol or ibuprofen.6
      - If you have a cough, a cough medicine may be helpful.6
      - If you have a blocked nose, try a nasal decongestant like Otrivin.

    • Can I catch a cold from spending time in cold weather?

      Can I catch a cold from spending time in cold weather?

      No. The only way to catch the common cold is by coming into contact with the virus. So why do people get sick more often in the winter? There is no definitive answer. But when it is cold outside, people tend to spend more time together inside where they can easily pass on viruses.5

      No matter what the temperature, it is still cold viruses that cause the cold not the temperature outside.5

  • Taking Otrivin

    Taking Otrivin

  • Other FAQs

    Other FAQs

    • What is the active ingredient?

      What is the active ingredient?

      Xylometazoline is the active ingredient in Otrivin Adult and Otrivin Junior range.

      Otrivin Plus contains the active ingredents xylometazoline and ipratropium.

      Otrivin Natural wth Seawater and Eucalyptus is a natural alternative to Otrivin, containing hypertonic seawater with eucalyptus essential oil and extract of wild mint.

    • What symptoms can Otrivin be used for?

      What symptoms can Otrivin be used for?

      Acts quickly to relieve a blocked nose caused by colds, flu or hayfever.
       

    • Can you use drops in your eye?

      Can you use drops in your eye?

      No - these solutions are not intended for use in the eyes.

    • Can you use with other medications?

      Can you use with other medications?

      You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.

  • Top FAQs

    Top FAQs

    • Do I have a cold or the flu?

      Do I have a cold or the flu?

      Although the common cold and the flu are caused by different viruses, it can be hard to determine exactly which one you have.1 Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly whilst cold symptoms occur more slowly.2

      Cold symptoms often begin with a headache and sneezing. After one or two days, this typically gives way to nasal symptoms and congestion along with a cough, which can last for about a week. Fever is uncommon in adults when you have a cold, but is possible.2

      Symptoms of flu include fever, sore throats, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, congestion and coughs.2 Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five days, but it's not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more.3

    • How many colds am I likely to get each year?

      How many colds am I likely to get each year?

      Most people tend to get between 2 and 5 colds per year.1,3 Children may get colds more often than adults, because they haven’t yet built up an immunity.

    • Why do children catch so many colds?

      Why do children catch so many colds?

      Children get fewer colds as they get older because their immune systems become stronger. Colds are usually more common in the colder months when children are inside and in close contact with others.5 Younger children tend to get colds more easily as they have yet to build up immunity to the many different cold viruses around. Children with older brothers and sisters and those who attend nursery may get more colds.

    • My child has a cold. What medicine should I use?

      My child has a cold. What medicine should I use?

      There isn't a cure for the common cold. The best you can do is to treat the symptoms so that your child can get back to normal as quickly as possible.4

      Analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to ease aches and pains, headaches, and fever.2 Otrivin Junior Spray helps relieve nasal congestion in children aged 6 to 11 years old. Your doctor can provide you with more information.

1 Eccles, R. 2005. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. The Lancet, Vol. 5

2 Eccles, R. 2009. Mechanisms of symptoms of common cold and flu. Basel, Birkhäuser and Eccles, R. 2009. Over the counter medicines for colds. Basel: Birkhäuser

3 Healthdirect (2018). "Colds and flu (influenza)" https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu. (Accessed 05-02-2019).

4 COPD - Mayo Clinic. 2015. Diseases and Conditions. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

5 Grief, N. 2005. Upper Respiratory Infections. Department of Family Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street, Suite 186B, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

6 Common cold – Management. NICE CKS. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/common-cold#!scenario (Accessed 10 July 2018).

7 Healthdirect (2018). "Colds and flu treatments" https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu-treatments. (Accessed 05-02-2019).

 

 

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