Cough and cold season is here: Our expert GP is here to help!

[CeriMumsnet]

With cold and flu season in full swing and kids returning to school after Christmas, winter illnesses can feel inevitable and never-ending. But what can we do to relieve symptoms when they strike or even better, keep the germs at bay in the first place?

We’ve invited GP Dr Kate Cottam to answer your questions on all things winter bugs. Share a question for Dr Kate by 12th Jan for your chance to win a £200 Amazon voucher (T&Cs).

About Dr Kate:
Dr Kate Cottam is an NHS GP. She has had experience in various different medical specialties throughout her training and is the Practice Lead for Learning Disabilities and Serious Mental Illness. Kate is committed to compassionate, patient-centred care and making health information accessible and easy to understand, encouraging patients to take an active role in their care. Kate is also a mum to two boys aged 7 and 4
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Here's what Broncho Junior has to say:
'Broncho Junior is chosen by mums who plan ahead. One cupboard staple, many cough types. Broncho Junior helps calm dry or chesty coughs day or night'

My sister (a teacher) once described her class in the winter as a class of petri dishes - my question would be - my school is very strict on absences, but what, in your opinion would be the symptoms of a winter cold and cough to send to school, and when to keep off ? I generally send mine with tissues, throat sweets and hand sanitiser, but sometimes feel really guilty if they are tired and have a cough.

Best advice for a treating a cough in a child under 3 please ?

My child has mild asthma, he has a daily preventer inhaler, but has not had a flu jab, would having this lessen the symptoms of a cough - he has not had an asthma attack in a long time. (We have not been contacted by our gp to have a flu jab)

Should we be trying to stop a cough or encouraging a cough as i hear different things. I always thought coughing was good to keep airways clear but i see cough medicinea to stop the cough

I currently feel horrendous - have been flush faced and boiling hot to touch all week, but no fever according to thermometers.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen or Lemsip are not touching it, but I have had to keep going as the husband is deployed!

Running nose, eyes streaming, sore throat, absolutely exhausted....

What alternatives are there to help?

Broncho Junior is a medical device, not a medicine, so by definition it does not and must not have any medicinal effects. It can only work by physically soothing the throat.

From its advertising blurb, each 15 ml of Broncho Junior contains: 143 mg Marshmallow Dry Extract, 750 mg Honey, Also contains: Xylitol, Xanthan, Glycerol Anhydrous, Citric Acid, Strawberry Aroma, Methyl-4- Hydroxybenzoate, Propyl-4- Hydroxybenzoate, Purified Water

Would you be prepared to annoy your sponsor and ask the GP whether it is better to spend £6 on a 120mL bottle of this, or would parents be better off making an all-natural honey and lemon drink that has the added advantage of getting fluids into their poorly child? Bearing in mind a jar of honey is about £1 and a bottle of lemon juice is about 80p.

How is best to stop kids getting colds when surrounded by other kids with colds at school all week? It’s like a. Ever ending cycle! Anything schools could do?

What are the symptoms of when a rattling cough has become a chest infection, and I should take them to the doctor - this sort of cough really worries me.

DS currently has chicken pox,
We’re on day 4 and he’s been generally doing ok, however today he’s come out with a very runny nose! Is this part of chicken pox or does he now have a cold on top also?
thank you!

Is it possible to avoid my children getting a cough, cold or flu when one of the adults in the house have one?
When my partner or I have something it seems inevitable that the children will get it regardless of how careful we are.

Do you have any advice for those of us looking after elderly relatives?
Lots of germs around so I would like to know how can we help them to avoid or recover quickly at this time of year.

I've been poorly since January 1st. A hacking, slightly productive cough, particularly at night. Really vicious, so much so that I think I've strained my tummy- it hurts so much when I cough. Reduced appetite, and so very tired - easily sleeping fourteen hours a day. I was aching all over for the first few days, but that has stopped now. Temperature seems back to more normal ... but I just can't get rid of the cough. Have tried sipping honey, lemon and ginger, but not sure its worked. Im in my late sixties, please advise what I can take to help.
Thanking you.

I have been advised to add extra pillows and raise the front of the bed to help with decongestant when sleeping - do you agree with this and how soon before bedtime would you give a cough medicine before bed for the best results ?

I think I permanently suffer from post nasal drip which irritates my throat and makes me cough. Is there anything I can do about it.

What is the best treatment for croup in a 16-month old? He has been given a baby inhaler and steroids

Hi Would you recommend Vicks First Defence to patients? In your experience does it make a difference?

Best advice other than the 'hands face space' measures to help siblings catching a cold/cough/flu ? Prevention is better than cure imo.

Do you think school classrooms should be recommended to have air purifyers to help with the spread of coughs and colds in the winter - there are 8 off in my DC's class today because of illness.

Does giving vitamins actually help with improving immunity - or does actually having a cough and cold and your body working to heal itself provide better immunity or lessened symptoms - love to hear your thoughts.

According to our school protocol you must send children in. They can decide. (Post registration) if they can stay in school
or need to be sent home.

Has this thread been finished please

Presumably. The dr didn't answer any questions, bit of a waste of time tbh.

@CeriMumsnet is the doctor going to answer our questions?

Hi @Pastit12, thanks for your question. A typical ‘cold’ or upper respiratory virus lasts 1-2 weeks. The majority of the time you can manage this at home yourself, using advice from a Pharmacist and their recommendations of over-the-counter treatments. The NHS advise you see a GP if you: have a persistent fever > 3 days; your symptoms are worsening with time; you have shortness of breath or chest pain; you are no better at 10 days or you have a cough for > 3 weeks. If you have a long-term medical condition, or a weakened immune system it is recommended you see your GP sooner.

Hi @Maryberrysbouffant A cough caused by a virus can be very irritating. Fortunately, most clear up in a few weeks. The best way to speed up your recovery is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with any pain or associated symptoms. Hot lemon and honey (not for under 1 year old olds), or a cough syrup from a Pharmacist can help to soothe an irritating cough and may make you cough less. An anti-histamine will not help a viral cough, but it is possible to cough from an allergic trigger (allergic rhinitis) which causes mucus to drip down to the throat and triggers a cough. It could be helpful in this instance.