News related to cold & flu

1. Nasal steroids offer little benefit for sinusitis
   

   Sinusitis is swelling (inflammation) of the passages on either side of the nose. It can cause uncomfortable pressure inside the nose. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by a viral infection. Sinusitis often clears up by itself within a few weeks. Most people who get sinusitis do not need to see thei

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2. Should you take zinc for the common cold?
   

   The common cold is caused by a virus, which means it can't be treated with antibiotics. Often the best thing to do is rest, as colds usually go away on their own after a few days. You can also take remedies from a pharmacy to help you feel better while your body fights off the cold. Painkillers may

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3. Have we dodged flu this season?
   

   20th March 2012 - A big outbreak of flu is something the NHS dreads, advising people in at-risk groups to have flu jabs, and reminding us to "Catch it. Bin it. Kill it". However, this flu season, infection rates have been low throughout. Why is this year different from the previous flu season? Was i

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4. Were Team GB's Olympic handshake concerns right?
   

   7th March 2012 - Shaking hands is a very sporting gesture before any competition - but for Team GB it seems the risk of picking up bugs at the 2012 Olympics is a big concern. Could a simple handshake upset the medal hopes for Sir Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis and Rebecca Adlington? The concern was raised

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5. Got sinusitis? Antibiotics are unlikely to help
   

   If you have sinusitis, your sinuses are inflamed and swollen. This can cause nasal congestion, as well as pain in your forehead, upper jaw, teeth, cheeks, or around your eyes. People often get sinusitis after they’ve had a viral infection such as a cold or the flu. But, if your symptoms last longer

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6. Hand hygiene important in flu season
   

   Seasonal flu occurs every year in the winter months. Most people recover despite it making them feel very unwell, but for older people and those with other illnesses, flu can be more serious. Vaccines protect against the flu and are offered to those for whom a flu infection can cause more serious il

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7. Warning over possible saline nasal spray contamination
   

   16th January 2012 - The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning of possible bacterial contamination in batches of the saline nasal spray Sterimar Isotonic. The spray, which is commonly used to cleanse nasal passages, is sold online and in shops. The manufacturer, Church

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8. Antibiotic awareness still poor
   

   18th November 2011 - A new survey has found 20% of adults have visited their doctor because of a cough, cold, flu or sore throat and half expected to be prescribed antibiotics. The findings are the result of research commissioned by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). 1,767 people in England were qu

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9. Most 'at risk' people yet to have flu jab
   

   11th November 2011 - The elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are being urged to have their flu vaccination before the virus begins to circulate widely. Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Thursday show that 63% of those under-65 years of age whos

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10. Flu jab: Vaccination begins
    

    3rd October 2011 – From this week annual flu jabs will be given and people eligible for the jabs are being urged to make an appointment with their GP before people around them start to get flu. It takes five to 10 days for the vaccine to take effect. New figures show people are more likely to get tr

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