Severe colds and flu can trigger the release of cytokines which can cause lack of appetite but at the same time it’s important to keep your energy levels up to fight the virus. It’s recommended that you eat small nutritious meals and if you can’t face this then a meal replacement sachet is a good alternative. You also have to drink lots of fluids too. There are around 200 types of cold virus and you could come across one after the other - you can build up immunity against one virus but it won’t protect you from another. Antibiotics rarely help your GP will only prescribe them if you are very ill, elderly or very young as they no quick fix. For children under 2 paracetamol or ibuprofen medicines are the best to help relieve pain and lower temperature. Medicine containing glycerine, honey and lemon can help soothe a cough and the appropriate vapour rub can e applied to a Childs clothing or saline nasal drops for blocked and stuffy noses.
