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Cold & flu health centre

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Symptoms & types

Is it a cold or an allergy? Cold or flu? Learn more about cold symptoms and how these differ from other conditions. Also, learn about common cold complications such as sinusitis and bronchitis or chest infection.

Symptoms

Got a raspy cough? Can’t stop sneezing? Maybe you feel bunged up and have a sore throat. Chances are you have a cold. Learn about common cold symptoms so you’ll know if you need to seek medical advice.

Can you tell the difference between a cold and an allergy? Discover the difference between colds and allergies so you’ll know how to treat your stuffy head, runny nose and congestion.

Complications

When normal cold symptoms turn into sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or ear infections, you may need medical treatment. Learn about cold complications, the symptoms, the treatment and when to seek medical advice.

When your nasal congestion and postnasal drip continue long after your cold should be over, you may have a sinus infection (sinusitis). Learn more about sinus infections and how this common problem is treated.

Can’t stop coughing? Tight chest? You might have a chest infection or bronchitis. Read more about bronchitis and chest infection symptoms.

Scratchy, irritated throat? Swollen tonsils? Read more about colds, sore throats and tonsillitis, so you’ll know when to seek medical advice.

If a sore throat is accompanied by a fever and white patches on your tonsils, it might be time to seek medical advice about bacterial tonsillitis.

Lost your voice? Read more about this common complication of a cold or flu infection.

Congestion won't clear up following a cold? Read more about catarrh.

Otitis media is the most common cause of earaches, and frequently accompanies a common cold. Read more about infections of the middle ear.

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