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Common Symptoms
Cold symptoms come on gradually and include:
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Raised temperature
- Pressure in your face and ears
- Loss of taste and smell
Treatment at home
You can treat a cold at home with:
- Rest and sleep
- Keep warm
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Gargle salt water to soothe as sore throat
- Over the counter remedies to ease symptoms (ask your pharmacist)
When should I book a GP?
You should see a GP if:
- Your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks
- Your symptoms get suddenly worse
- Your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
- You’re concerned about your child’s symptoms
- You’re finding it hard to breathe or develop chest pain
- You have a long-term medical condition – e.g. diabetes, or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
- You have a weakened immune system – e.g. you’re having chemotherapy
