• 15 -24 year olds are the most likely to go to bed (80%) and take an OTC remedy (71%) when they have a cold or flu, whereas those aged 65+ are the least likely to stay in bed (63%) and most likely to drink a hot toddy (54%).
• Men are more likely to drink a hot toddy or eat spicy food to combat the symptoms of colds and flu, whereas women are more likely to increase their intake of fruit and veg, take a health supplement or take an OTC remedy.
• Over half the people living in Yorkshire (52%) drink a hot toddy to combat the symptoms of colds and flu.
• Of the people we questioned, those living in Scotland and North East England are more likely to increase their fruit and veg intake to prevent catching a cold or flu, and those living in the south are more likely to take a health supplement.
• Single people are more likely to use the internet to find advice on treating colds and flu (10%) than married (4%) or divorced/separated/widowed people (3%).
• 24% of Londoners worry about catching a cold or flu from public toilets.
• Over 50% of all people worry they'll catch a cold from work, although over 1/3 wouldn't take any time off work if they had a cold.

For further information please contact:

Karen Kelshaw
Consumer Health Information Centre
tel: 020 7421 9314
fax: 020 7421 9317
email: karen.kelshaw@pagb.co.uk

Pam Prentice
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel: 020 7383 6144
out of office hours: 0780 3399826
email: pprentice@bma.org.uk

Marianne Smith
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel 020 7383 6828
fax: 020 7383 6966
email: msmith@bma.org.u