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'

Hi @prawncocktailcrispss As it states in the information leaflet, Broncho Junior can be given at night however I would also recommend speaking to a pharmacist to check what’s best for your child. Despite not having any added sugar it does contain honey so I would want to brush my children’s teeth again after using this.

Hi @Fancyquickthinker As stated in the product information leaflet Broncho 5 in 1 syrup is suitable for age 12+. With any over the counter treatment I would also recommend checking the details on the box, or even better discussing with a Pharmacist who would be able to signpost you to the most appropriate and safe treatment.

Hi @ButterOllocks In the UK the flu vaccine is offered to children aged 2 years and above through your GP surgery until they reach school and then school aged children (4/5-17 years) are offered the vaccination through school. I am not sure of the age of your child, but they should be eligible regardless of their asthma. Flu can be very unpleasant for children, especially if more vulnerable with underlying asthma so I would recommend chasing this up with GP/school depending on the age. Children's flu vaccine - NHS is a useful resource.

Hi @hannahp1209 The cough reflex is a natural response to excess mucus, irritants and foreign particles, so it is a vital protective mechanism for our airways. A cough syrup may help soothe the irritation and in turn improve the frequency or symptoms of a cough and make it more comfortable for you.

Hi @EyeLevelStick As you can see from this NHS advice website, both cough syrups and honey and lemon drinks are mentioned as ‘self help’ options for coughs and colds. Cough - NHS. As discussed in some of the questions above, these options can be helpful in the management of symptoms and frequency of coughing. Something purchased from a pharmacy might be more convenient and preferable, but both options are worth considering.

Hi @wellingtonsandwaffles Please see my answer to @lovemyflipflops question (reshared below) for advice on reducing the spread of germs in school settings. Unfortunately, it is very common this time of year, and pretty unavoidable as children’s immune systems are exposed to so many new viruses and bacteria during their childhood. Hopefully it will lessen year on year as they build up an immune response!

Ventilation can be helpful but the best way to prevent coughs and colds spreading in children is encouraging them to have good hygiene habits by washing their hands regularly with warm water and soap, to use tissues which are then disposed in a bin and to cover their mouth when they sneeze and cough, and then wash their hands. It is very tricky in a group environment, but encouraging these hygiene habits at home will help!

Hi @youareonlyhereonce It can be really unsettling to hear our children coughing. Generally, if your child is breathing normally, not wheezing, feeding or eating and drinking normally then the cough will likely get better in time by itself. Signs of chest infection include a persistent fever, working hard to breathe (i.e. breathing faster or using lots of extra effort to breathe), too breathless to feed or complete a sentence and having chest pain when coughing or breathing. This is a useful resource. Colds, coughs and ear infections in children - NHS Do seek a medical review if you are concerned about your child’s condition.

Hi @NixieDust you can get a runny nose and more typical cold symptoms with chicken pox. It does tend to be in the earlier stages of the illness and sometimes precedes the spots appearing. In short, it may be all part of the chicken pox but could unfortunately also be a second virus. The rest, isolation and quiet time at home needed for chicken pox will help the recovery either way; I hope they made a quick recovery.

Hi @Whochangedmyusername It sounds like you are already making wise choices and doing the best you can. It is very difficult to keep children away from each other day to day in a household – so chances are siblings are likely to catch something from each other regardless of our best efforts. Keep up the hand-washing, ventilation and disinfecting high traffic areas in the daytime. These measures, alongside prioritising sleep, rest and nutritious food will leave you knowing you are giving everyone to best chance to stay healthy.

Hi @Glitterbiscuits I would like to refer you to my answer to @benjaminjamesandgraham question in terms of best ways to reduce the risk of catching germs because these are applicable to us all (reshared below). In short, good hand hygiene with soap and water, face coverings, avoiding sharing items, use of single use tissues and disinfecting high traffic areas are what I mostly discuss here. In elderly patients, immunisations are especially relevant here because this cohort of people are offered vaccinations for flu, pneumococcal, RSV and shingles (at various ages for each individual vaccine) so I would encourage my relative to get these when invited.

There are lots of things to consider to reduce your risk. First, think in terms of your hygiene and prevention of exposing yourself to germs – wash your hands regularly with soap and water (or hand sanitiser if needs be), avoid touching your face or consider using a face mask, ventilate, don’t share items like cups and towels, and have good habit of covering your face with a tissue with sneezes and coughs. In terms of immune support, prioritise good nutrition, aim for 7-8 hours sleep, regular exercise and avoidance of stress. Ensure you attend for vaccinations for those you are eligible for, keep distance from those who seem unwell and be sure to disinfect high traffic communal areas.

Hi @Jillybloop393 For any cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks, it is advisable to see a GP. Other ‘red flags’ for a cough would be coughing up blood, significant breathlessness, chest pain, persistent fever, weight loss, feeling very unwell and unable to do normal activities. If you are aged over 65, have underlying medical conditions / a weakened immune system or are pregnant it may also be advisable to see a GP sooner.

Hi @Cantwaitforthesummer good question. Please see my answer to @HobNobAddict for my thoughts on this:

For babies and infants, the Lullaby Trust and NHS guidance for safe sleeping is to always sleep flat on their back on a firm surface so I would not advise that in this instance. For adults, it could be beneficial to aid breathing by keeping airways open and allowing gravity to help with the mucus drainage. Be careful with your neck position to avoid strain and neck pain – specific wedge pillows can be helpful to keep your spine neutral.

Hi @rhabarbarmarmelade I would recommend seeing your GP for this - there are certainly things you could try depending on what they think could be the underlying cause. Options might include steroid nasal sprays or anti-histamines. It is recommended to avoid triggers like cigarette smoke, and keep well hydrated too.

Hi @Ophy83 This is a really good summary for croup. Croup - NHS As you can see in the article, it explains that croup is a condition that warrants an urgent GP appointment (or hospital if breathing difficulties are severe – see the red box) so your child can be assessed at the time. As you mentioned in your question, steroid treatment is often needed for croup to reduce swelling in the airway and make breathing much easier again.

Hi @Hauntedbyhazel I’m afraid I do not have any anecdotal experience of patients using this, nor is it something that we would prescribe on the NHS. I can see that a study was published in the Lancet in 2024 looking at its effectiveness, in comparison to usual ‘cold’ care, saline nasal spray and motivational behavioural interventions. The study suggests that the gel spray (like Vicks First Defence) and a saline spray both had a clinically significant effect on reducing the illness duration and reducing the number of days off work, so perhaps either is worth considering next time you feel a cold coming on.

Hi @DanBenandBud It sounds like you are already making wise choices and doing the best you can. It is very difficult to keep children away from each other day to day in a household – so chances are siblings are likely to catch something from each other regardless of our best efforts. Keep up the hand-washing, ventilation and disinfecting high traffic areas in the daytime. These measures, alongside prioritising sleep, rest and nutritious food will leave you knowing you are giving everyone to best chance to stay healthy.

Hi @Montydoo please see my answer to wellingtonsandwaffles and lovemyflipflops for my thoughts on the spread and coughs and colds in schools.

Hi @DinkyDaffodil Vitamins certainly due help to support our immune system. If you eat a varied healthy diet, and have some sun exposure for vitamin D (plus the WHO recommended supplement in the UK winter months) then you should be getting a good source of vitamins that strengthen our immunity – namely vitamins A, C, D, E and B vitamins. If you feel your diet is lacking in some way, then supplementing with vitamin tablets could be considered. Once you have had a cough or cold your immune system will ‘remember’ the specific virus or bacteria that you caught and therefore help your body fight this next time it is exposed.

Thanks so much for all your questions - I've enjoyed answering them and hope they have been useful. To those of you who were dealing with coughs and colds I hope everyone is feeling much better now!

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Ask the Expert with our GP! I'm happy to announce the winner of the prize draw is @Dizzywizz