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.
|
