There’s no cure for the common cold, but the right remedies can make the week more bearable. Rest, plenty of fluids and saline nasal sprays are the basics. Pharmacy medicines can ease symptoms such as a blocked nose, sore throat and aches while your body fights off the virus. Most people feel better within 7 to 10 days.
This guide is part of our common illnesses A–Z. Below, we sort common cold myths from facts, explain how a cold differs from the flu, and cover when to see a GP.
What is the common cold?
A cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat. Healthdirect says more than 200 different viruses can cause colds, most often rhinoviruses and some coronaviruses. That’s why you can catch several colds a year, and why there’s no vaccine for the common cold.
Common cold symptoms
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Sneezing
- Blocked or runny nose
- Cough
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Sometimes a mild fever, which is more common in children
Healthdirect says symptoms usually peak on day 3 or 4. A cough can hang around longer than the other symptoms.
How do colds spread?
Cold viruses spread when you breathe in droplets from someone’s cough or sneeze, or when you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Crowded places make that easier: a packed light rail carriage, a school classroom, a theme park queue or a busy shopping centre on a rainy Saturday.
Is it a cold or the flu?
It can be hard to tell at first. The flu is caused by a different virus (influenza) and usually makes you feel much more unwell.
| Common cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Gradually | Suddenly |
| Fever | Sometimes, usually mild | Common, often with chills |
| Aches and tiredness | Mild | Often significant muscle aches and exhaustion |
| How unwell you feel | Usually mild | Can be severe and lead to serious illness |
| Vaccine available? | No | Yes, every year |
Healthdirect recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone, ideally from April before flu season starts. You can learn more about walk-in flu vaccinations in store.
Common cold myths vs facts
Myth: antibiotics will help me get over a cold faster
Fact: Antibiotics don’t help colds. They only work on bacterial infections, and colds are caused by viruses. Taking them for a cold won’t help you recover any faster.
Myth: vitamins and supplements will stop me catching colds
Fact: Healthdirect says there’s no good evidence that vitamins and other supplements can prevent colds. Eating well, sleeping well and washing your hands are your best everyday habits.
Myth: cold medicines are fine for kids
Fact: Healthdirect advises not to give children decongestants, antihistamines or cough syrups for colds, as they don’t help children recover and may be harmful. Rest, fluids and saline nose drops are the go-to. For children older than 12 months, honey can help ease a cough. Ask your pharmacist before giving any medicine to a child.
Myth: you should push through and go to work
Fact: Staying home when you’re sick helps stop colds spreading to your workmates, classmates and anyone vulnerable.
Common cold remedies you can try at home
- Rest. Your body needs energy to fight the virus.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Especially if you have a fever or it’s a humid Gold Coast day.
- Use saline nasal sprays or drops. They can help clear a blocked nose.
- Soothe a sore throat. Warm drinks, and honey for anyone over 12 months, may help.
- Wash your hands often, and sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue.
Pharmacy medicines for colds
Pharmacy medicines can’t cure a cold, but some can ease symptoms. The main groups are:
- Pain and fever relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, for headache, aches and sore throat.
- Decongestants, as tablets or nasal sprays, for a blocked nose. Healthdirect says not to use decongestant nasal sprays for more than 5 days in a row. Some decongestants aren’t suitable if you have high blood pressure that isn’t well managed.
- Cough medicines, which can cause drowsiness. Some are only available after talking to a pharmacist.
- Throat lozenges and sprays for a sore throat.
Be careful with multi-symptom cold and flu products. Many contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, and it’s easy to double up by accident. Ask your pharmacist which suits you, and follow the label or your pharmacist’s advice.
How can a pharmacist help?
Tell us your main symptoms and we can suggest options that target them. We’ll also check your other medicines and health conditions, such as blood pressure, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and let you know whether you should see a GP instead.
When to see a GP
See your GP if:
- you’re feeling unwell and worried about your health;
- you think you might be dehydrated;
- your symptoms, including your cough, aren’t going away.
For children, see a doctor if symptoms get worse or haven’t improved after 48 hours, or they’re not eating or drinking, or are weeing less. See a doctor straight away if a baby under 3 months has a fever.
Our in-store Help Medical GPs can see you while you’re at Pacific Fair.
Call 000 if
- you or your child is having trouble breathing;
- a child has pale or bluish skin or lips, has a seizure or is floppy;
- there’s a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed;
- there’s a stiff neck or severe headache with a fever.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
If you’re battling a cold and want to know which remedies suit your symptoms, our pharmacists can help you choose. Pop in, with no appointment needed. Find us on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days (until 9pm Thursdays), or call (07) 5592 2099.
Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey (BPharmSci, MPharm), Pharmacist.
Sources
- healthdirect – Colds
- healthdirect – Flu (influenza)
- healthdirect – Medicines for colds, flu and COVID-19
- healthdirect – Coughs and colds in children
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.