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GP services overstretched during winter months: 1 in 5 visit GP for coughs and colds

Statistics show that almost one in five parents would take their child to see the GP if they showed signs of a cough, cold or flu, and 3% of parents would even take their child to A&E.

These results - from a new survey conducted by the Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) and Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) - show that there is an element of confusion among parents as to whom they should seek advice from on minor ailments such as colds and flu.

Minor ailments such as coughs, colds and flu are rife among children, especially over the winter months, as the close contact with other children in the school environment can mean that viruses are easily passed from one child to the next. Parents are well aware of this risk of infection as the CHIC and DPP survey results show that 95% of parents think it is very likely that their child will catch a cough, cold or flu in the playground.

While the recommended treatment for colds and flu is generally to self-treat with over-the-counter remedies and advice from a pharmacist:

  • Between 20-40 per cent of a GP's time is spent consulting on minor ailments for the general population
  • 30-40 per cent of A&E attendees are suffering from a minor illness or minor injury
  • 46 per cent of prescriptions from out-of-hours primary care services (GP visits) are for over the counter medicines.
  • In the last year, 85 per cent of children have caught a cough/cold or flu. If the frequency of infection is as high this winter, it could lead to concerned parent's flooding to the GP surgery for advice.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines advice and can easily deal with common ailments such as colds and flu, and have access to an extensive range of effective over-the-counter medicines, which the GP cannot prescribe.

To support parents dealing with their child's minor ailments, CHIC and DPP are launching their 'Managing Minor Ailments' campaign which includes an information booklet 'Caring for Kids - a self-care guide to childhood ailments'. The booklet takes parents through common ailments - including coughs, colds and flu - what symptoms to look out for and how to treat the condition. The campaign will be run through DPP member GP practices and Primary Care Trusts and the booklet will also be available from the CHIC helpline.

Dr Paul Stillman, GP and CHIC spokesperson comments: "When a child is ill, it can be a trying time for parents. No parent likes to hear their child coughing, sneezing and suffering from a temperature, but there are immediate steps you can take to help relieve symptoms. Visit your local pharmacist who will give you excellent advice on which remedies are suitable for your child, according to their symptoms and their age"

Commenting on the initiative Dr Simon Fradd, Chairman, Developing Patient Partnership said: "Making sure that people know what services are available to them when their child is ill is key in ensuring that parents feel confident to manage their families' health. Pharmacists offer an invaluable source of expertise on medicines and the treatment of minor ailments such as colds and flu."

For a free booklet on 'Caring for Kids', call the CHIC helpline on 020 7761 1803. Consumers wishing to obtain further information such as free leaflets on Colds & Flu should call CHIC on: 020 7242 8331.

Below is a useful guide for parents on which over-the-counter remedies are most suitable for their child, depending on age and symptom.

  Baby (3 months and above) Children (1yr and above) Adult (12yrs* and above)
Symptoms      
Dry
Or
Chesty

There are a few cough syrups developed especially for babies > 3months. These include traditional linctuses such as Honey and Lemon or brands such as Tixylix Baby Syrup and Baby Meltus There is a fairly wide range of cough syrups specially developed for children > 1year with children-friendly flavours or sugar free variants available. As well as traditional linctuses, common active ingredients include Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide for dry coughs or Guaifenesin for chesty coughs. Examples include the Benylin children's cough range; the Tixylix cough range. There is a wide range of cough syrups available ranging from traditional linctuses to those containing Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide or Pholcodine for dry coughs or Guafenesin for chesty coughs. Examples include the Dry and Chesty variants of Benylin, Vicks or Robitussin
Blocked
nose

There are a variety of products containing aromatic oils (menthol, eucalyptus, winter green oil, peppermint) available for use with babies. However, make sure you check the label as the lower age limit often varies between 3-6 months. Examples include Olbas oil, Karvol, Vaporub.

Saline nose drops can also be used for young babies before feeds, to loosen mucus and help them breathe more easily.

Similarly, there are a number of products containing aromatic oils that cannot be used for babies but are permitted for use in children, e.g. Happinose, Vicks Inhaler.
Again, ensure you have read the label to look for specific lower ages on these products.
There are several decongestants available beyond the traditional aromatic oil based products. Decongestants are generally taken orally as a tablet and include ingredients such as pseudoephedrine hydrochoride (e.g. Sudafed, Beechams Decongestant),
OR topically by spraying or inhaling the remedy into the nose. Common active ingredients of these products include xylometazoline or oxymetazoline HCL (e.g. Vicks Sinex, Otrivine).
Fevers & Headaches Look for products containing:
ibuprofen or paracetamol. These are often provided as a suspension for easy swallowing; examples include Calpol Infant, Disprol for Children or Nurofen for Children.
As recommended for babies look for products containing ibuprofen or paracetamol* e.g. Calpol, Disprol, Nurofen for Children, Anadin 6-12 yrs, Calpol 6+. There is a wide range of fever and pain relief remedies that will also reduce a temperature. The basic ingredients are paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin. Examples include Nurofen, Panadol, Anadin.
Sore
throat

For babies the traditional pain relief remedies containing paracetamol or ibuprofen often provided as a suspension
such as Calpol Infant, Disprol for Children or Nurofen for Children are recommended. A warm bottle of milk may also soothe the throat.
Sore throat relief comes in the form of lozenges & pastilles as well as traditional pain relief remedies. Examples include Strepsils, Lemsip sore throat lozenges (>6 years), Merocets (>6 years). Do not give lozenges to children under three, or until they are able to suck them safely. Sore throat relief comes in the form of lozenges, pastilles & sprays (sometimes containing local anaesthetics such as benzocaine) as well as traditional pain relief remedies. Examples include Strepsils, TCP Sore Throat Lozenges, Tyrozets, Dequacaine or Ultra-Chloraseptic.
Runny nose   The most common therapies for runny nose can be taken orally as a tablet or as a liquid but are generally only for use in older children (>6 years). Ingredients include antihistamines doxylamine succinate, diphenhydramine HCl, chlorphenamine maleate. Examples Benylin 4Flu (> 6 years), Vicks Medinite (>10 years), Tixylix cough & cold (>1 year). The most common therapies for runny nose can be taken orally as a tablet or as a liquid. Ingredients include antihistamines doxylamine succinate, diphenhydramine HCl, chlorphenamine maleate. Examples are usually in combination products such as Benylin 4 Flu, Vicks Medinite.

Combination remedies are available and may give relief for a number of symptoms (e.g. for congestion, headache and cough).

Relevant Links

  • For information on coughs and cold, read our cold and flu leaflet.

 

 
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