Cold & Flu
Don’t suffer with a cold
Many people suffer from the common cold every winter, but there are some things you can avoid to minimise your chances of being affected by this illness.
You’re more likely to get a cold if you:
are tired, or emotionally or physically stressed
do not have a healthy diet
are a smoker or are exposed to second-hand smoke
live or work in crowded conditions
There are over 200 different viruses that can cause colds. Cold viruses spread through the air when someone with a cold sneezes or coughs. You may also catch a cold by touching things that have been touched by someone with a cold, such as a door handle.
You usually start having cold symptoms 1–3 days after contact with a cold virus. The cold can spread to others even before any symptoms appear. Before you experience any cold symptoms you could boost your immunity, especially if you are prone to catching a cold every winter.
How is a cold treated?
The best way to treat a cold is to rest and drink plenty of fluid, such as water. You can also gargle salt water, sip lemon and honey drinks or inhale hot steam.
There are no medicines that cure a cold. Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics will not help.
However, you may feel better with medicines such as painkillers, nose drops or sprays, cough syrups and drops, throat lozenges and decongestants.
Symptom Relief
We can provide you with the best advice on Cold & Flu products which contain medicines to treat cold symptoms.
Maxigesic PE Triple Action
MAXIGESIC PE® provides triple action cold, flu and sinus relief.
It has is a world-first specific combination of paracetamol 500mg, ibuprofen 150mg and phenylephrine 2.5mg, developed right here in New Zealand.
MAXIGESIC PE® is designed to provide relief from the following symptoms:
Body aches & pains
Fever & inflammation
Headache & sore throat
Blocked & runny nose
Maxigesic Cold & Flu Hot Drink
These sachets are mixed with hot water to provide fast, effective double-action cold and flu relief in a lemon-flavoured drink.
Developed in New Zealand, Maxigesic® Cold & Flu Hot Drink is a unique, patented combination of paracetamol 500mg and ibuprofen 150mg that provides fast, effective double action relief from winter ills and chills, a wide range of pain symptoms, and also helps reduce inflammation and fever.
Codral Day & Night
Codral Cold & Flu tablets provide temporary relief from the symptoms of runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, body aches and pains and fever.
Codral contains Paracetamol which works to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain. It also acts to reduce fever. The Codral Day & Night formula contains tablets for night time use which will help you to sleep.
Always ask your pharmacist before taking Cold & Flu medicines - we can advise you on the safe and effective use of these medicines.
For more information: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/colds
