Coughs, Colds & Flu Treatments
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)
- A prescription only medication
- Speeds up recovery
- Lowers the risk of complications
From £23.99 £29.99
Olbas Inhaler
- A fast effective aromatherapy inhaler
- Effective in relieving a blocked nose
- Provides a fresh, clean feeling in the nose, sinus & lungs
From £2.99
Benylin Mucus Cough Max
- Treats chesty coughs
- Contains Guaifenesin
- Works by loosening and thinning mucus
From £5.99
Benylin Dry and Tickly
- Relieves dry coughs and throat irritation
- Soothes and relieves sore throat
- Comes in syrup form
From £5.99
Vicks VapoRub
- A topical cough treatment with medicated vapors
- Relieves congestion
- Soothes muscular and joint pains
From £3.27
Sterimar Cold Defence
- Relieves nasal congestion
- An isotonic resolution
- Enriched with Copper and free from preservatives
From £5.99
Care Simple Linctus Paediatric
- A demulcent cough syrup
- Treats dry and tickly coughs
- Works by coating the throat and reduces the urge to cough
From £2.99
Olbas Oil Inhalant
- Mixture of decongestant oils
- Relieves nasal congestion symptoms quickly
- Natural aromatic ingredients
From £4.99
Difflam Spray
- Deals with a sore throat efficiently
- Contains the active ingredient Benzydamine hydrochloride
- Fast effective releif for treating sore throats
From £6.99
Robitussin Chesty Cough
- Used to treat chesty coughs
- Long lasting affects
- Helps loosen phlegm from chest congestion
From £3.99
Otrivine Natural
- Cure a blocked nose effectively
- Contains hypertonic seawater
- Natural spray to unblock nose
From £5.99
Sudafed Blocked Nose
- Treatment for blocked nose
- A non-drowsy spray
- Clear and colourless solution
From £4.95
A.Vogel Echinaforce
- Helps fight against the common cold and flu
- A natural and herbal remedy
- Contains the pure and organically grown echinacea
From £4.95
Beechams Cold & Flu Hot Lemon
- Treats cold, flu, fever and aches
- Active ingredients includeparacetamol, phenylephrine, and vitamin C
- Suitable for ages 16 and above
From £2.95
Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Lemon
- Provides relief from symptoms of common cold and influenza
- Contains active ingredient paracetamol and phenylephrine hydrochloride
- Suitable for ages 16 and above
From £2.95
NeilMed Sinus Rinse
- Washes the nasal passages
- Contains sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate
- Causes mucus and allergens to flush out from the nose
From £18.95
Covonia Chesty Cough Sugar Free Syrup 150ml
- Alleviates chesty coughs without added sugar
- Helps to soothe irritation and loosen mucus
- Easy to use and store for effective cough management
From £4.79
Covonia Dry & Tickly Cough Linctus 150ml
- Eases dry and tickly coughs effectively
- Reduces throat discomfort and coughing fits
- Convenient size for regular use and easy storage.
From £4.29
Robitussin Mucus Cough and Congestion Relief 100ml
- Instant mucus cough and congestion relief
- Robitussin Mucus Cough Congestion Relief Dual action 100ml
- Use for three days only
From £3.49
Beechams All In One Liquid 160ml
- Targets cold and flu symptoms
- Provides fast relief for a range of symptoms
- Convenient and ample amount for effective treatment
From £5.50
Beechams All In One Cold and Flu Tablets
- Relieves cold and flu symptoms
- Contains paracetamol, phenylephrine, and guaifenesin
- Reduces pain, decongests, and loosens mucus
From £3.99
Beechams Max Strength All In One Capsules
- For chesty cough, sore throat, blocked nose, aches and pains, headaches and fever
- Fast and effective relief
- All in one capsules - Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, Guaifenesin
From £5.50
Benylin Cold & Flu Max Strength Capsules
- Relieves severe cold and flu symptoms
- Contains paracetamol, phenylephrine, and caffeine
- Reduces pain, decongests, and boosts alertness
From £3.55
Difflam 3mg Lozenges Orange & Honey
- Soothes sore throats and mouth pain
- Contains benzydamine hydrochloride
- Reduces inflammation and numbs pain
From £6.39
Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief Capsules
- Provides round-the-clock cold and flu relief
- Contains paracetamol, phenylephrine, and caffeine (day) or paracetamol and phenylephrine (night)
- Reduces pain, decongests, and relieves symptoms day and night
From £5.99
Nurofen Cold & Flu Tablets
- Relieves cold and flu symptoms
- Contains ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine
- Reduces pain, inflammation, and nasal congestion
From £6.49
Nurofen Day & Night Cold & Flu Tablets
- Provides 24-hour cold and flu relief
- Day tablets: ibuprofen, phenylephrine; Night tablets: ibuprofen, phenylephrine
- Reduces pain, inflammation, and nasal congestion throughout the day and night
From £4.49
Strepsils Honey & Lemon Lozenges
- Soothes sore throats and coughs
- Contains dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol
- Kills bacteria and provides soothing relief
From £4.99
Strepsils Extra Triple Action Blackcurrant Lozenges
- Provides relief for severe sore throats
- Contains hexylresorcinol
- Numbs pain, kills bacteria, and reduces inflammation
From £4.04
Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture 150ml
- Relieves chesty coughs
- Contains liquorice liquid extract and squill tincture
- Loosens mucus and eases coughing
From £4.49
Strepsils Orange with Vitamin C (100mg) Lozenges
- Soothes sore throats and boosts immunity
- Contains dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, and vitamin C
- Kills bacteria and provides soothing relief while supporting immune function
From £5.79
Strepsils Honey Soothing Throat Spray
- Soothes sore throats and mouth pain
- Contains benzydamine hydrochloride
- Reduces inflammation and numbs pain
From £6.49
Strepsils Sore Throat & Cough Lozenges
- Relieves sore throats and coughs
- Contins dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol
- Soothes pain and reduces cough irritation
From £4.99
Strepsils Strawberry Sugar Free Lozenges
- Soothes sore throats and coughs
- Contains dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol
- Provides relief without added sugar
From £4.64
Sudafed Congestion & Headache Day Night
- Relieves congestion and headaches day and night
- Day tablets: contain pseudoephedrine and paracetamol; Night tablets: contain pseudoephedrine and diphenhydramine
- Decongests and reduces pain while aiding sleep at night
From £5.25
Beechams Powders Sachets
Contains aspirin
Used for cold and flu symptoms
Ease headaches and muscular pains
From £2.99
Benylin 4 flu Tablets
- Clinically established components
- Cough and cold relief
- Helps to relieve congestion and thicken mucus.
- Lowers fever
From £5.99
Benylin Day & Night Tablets
- Alleviates cold and flu symptoms.
- Day for relief, night for sleep.
- Day and night tablets in one package.
From £4.64
BronchoStop Cough Syrup 240ml
Traditional herbal medicinal product
Non-drowsy solution formula
Soothes dry and chesty coughs
From £8.89
What is cough, cold and flu?
Cough
A cough is a response your body gives when something is irritating your throat. That irritation prompts the nerves to send a message to your brain. The brain then forwards the message to your chest muscles and abdomen, and as a result, the air is pushed out of your lungs to force the irritant stuck in your airways.
Coughs are normal when they are occasional however constant coughing that may last weeks and if mucus is discoloured or bloody you are advised to consult your GP to identify the cause and treatment. Prolonged and constant coughing can be damaging to your lungs and respiratory tract, which may stimulate more coughing and loss of voice. Coughing can be exhausting and cause extreme restlessness and pain in the chest and throat.
Cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that initially affects your nose, throat, larynx and sinuses. It's usual for the symptoms to appear a couple of days after the virus has entered your body. The cause was first identified in 1952. It is the most common disease and affects people all over the world. Adults typically have 2 to 3 infections annually, whereas children may get affected 6 to 10 times in one year.
Flu (Influenza)
Flu is short for influenza virus, which is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system- your nose, throat and lungs. Flu naturally resolves on its own, but sometimes the symptoms might be severe and deadly.
What causes cough, cold and flu?
A cough that lasts three weeks at most is considered acute, while a cough that's longer than eight weeks is deemed to be chronic.
Causes for acute cough
• Inhaling an irritant
• Common cold
• Whooping cough
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
Causes for chronic cough
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Lung cancer
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Coronavirus
• Tuberculosis
• Heart failure
• Chronic sinusitis
The common cold is most commonly caused by the rhinovirus, which is spread through the air during close or direct contact with an infected person or persons. It can also be transmitted through contaminated objects.
The weather also plays a critical role in causing the common cold. Cold temperature-induced changes in the respiratory system, decreased immune response, and low humidity are considered to cause the common cold.
The common cold is typically mild and self-limiting, with most symptoms generally improving in a week. In children, half of the cases go away within 10 days and 90 per cent within 15 days. Severe complications only occur in immunocompromised or older adults with underlying conditions.
Much like the common cold, the influenza virus travels through close contact to the air droplets of someone with the infection. They can either cough, sneeze or talk. You can either inhale the droplet and or get the disease from a contaminated object.
Symptoms can appear even a couple of days after the contact. New strains of this virus occur regularly. New antibodies are formed to fight the new strains every time you are infected.
Risk factors for all these include psychological stress, not sleeping well, age, living or working conditions, chronic illnesses, weak immune system, obesity and pregnancy.
What are the common symptoms of cough, cold and flu?
Symptoms of chronic cough include:
• A runny nose
• Post nasal drip
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent throat clearing
Symptoms of cold include:
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Muscle ache
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Mild fever (in children)
• Discoloured mucus
Symptoms of flu include:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Weakness and muscle pain
• Pre-existing medical conditions worsening
• Dehydration
• Blue lips
People at a higher risk of catching the flu include;
- Children under the age of 6 and especially 6 months old babies
- Adults 65 and above
- Pregnant women, including those whom have just given birth
- People who are obese and have a considerable body mass
- Those generally with a weaker immune systems
- Residents of nursing homes and care facilities
- People who have chronic underlying diseases such as asthma, diabetes and heart diseases.
If you or someone you know suffers from these symptoms, it is advised to consult your doctor and get a complete body check-up as it can be harmful to your body.
How to treat cough, cold and flu?
Cough
Cough medicines are usually used to treat an acute cough that lasts about two weeks. It is not used to treat potential worrisome underlying conditions. It is essential to follow the dosage while using cough medications. These may have side effects and can prove fatal to children.
You can follow the given measures to treat your cough besides the over-the-counter medications:
- Drink fluids
- Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke
- Consume honey
- Cough drops or hard candy
- Moisture the air
Cold
You can avoid catching a cold by regularly washing your hands and maintaining a safe distance from an infected person. Taking preventive measures can help reduce your chances of catching the cold. Drinking fluids, gargling with warm salt water and some herbal remedies can help treat the cold.
Pain and fever medications like ibuprofen as well as paracetamol may help with the symptoms. Antihistamines may improve the symptoms for a day or two but not for long term conditions. Pseudoephedrine appears to be effective while treating adults.
Chest vapour rub is exceptionally effective as well. Antibiotics and antiviral drugs are of negligible help as they are commonly prescribed just to fulfil people's expectations to include them.
Flu
A flu vaccine can be taken to prevent the subsequent three to four new influenza virus strains that are expected every year. It is recommended to everyone over the age of six months. It can reduce your chances of getting the flu and lower the risk of an even severe condition.
Nasal sprays aren't recommended for pregnant women or children with asthma or wheezing.
You can take the following preventive measures to reduce your chances of getting the flu:
- Wash your hands
- Avoid touching your face
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean surfaces
- Avoid crowds
Medications like amantadine, oseltamivir and tamiflu can be used to treat the influenza virus. Rapivab, relenza and xofluza are also effective medicines, as well as paracetamol and ibuprofen to help treat pain and fever.
Can I buy cough, cold and flu treatment online?
Yes! You can quickly and discreetly buy cough, cold and flu treatment online through our website.
How long does it take to treat cough, cold and flu?
Cough typically takes about 7 to 9 days to clear up if it is acute; however, chronic cough may take a couple of weeks to be cleared up. Common cold in adults takes about a week or so to get treated, whereas it takes a little longer, 2 weeks, to recover in children. Flu symptoms are also resolved in one, at most, two weeks, but if the symptoms do not get better after two weeks, it is better to go visit a doctor.
Patient information leaflet
Always read your patient information leaflet before starting your treatment.
This page is written and reviewed by:
| Name | Jana Abelovska |
| Role | Superintendent Pharmacist |
| GPhc Number | 2220953 |
Related Coughs, Colds & Flu advice & articles
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