THE old rhyme ‘coughs and sneezes spread diseases’ sums up many winter ailments.

This is especially true for bronchitis, as in its most common form it is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu.

The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

These droplets typically spread about one metre (three feet).

They hang suspended in the air for a while, and then land on surfaces where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours!

Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus further by touching something else.

Take my top tips to manage your symptoms at home.

They are:

  • Drink lots of fluid – this helps prevent dehydration and thins the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up
  • Make sure you get plenty of rest n Treat headaches, fever, and aches and pains with paracetamol or ibuprofen – although ibuprofen isn’t recommended if you have asthma.

Your local pharmacist will be able to advise further on self-care medicines

  • Although there’s little evidence that cough medicines work – a mixture of honey and lemon can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough Antibiotics aren’t routinely prescribed for bronchitis because it’s normally caused by a virus.

Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they’re unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.

In most cases, acute bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment.

You only need to see your GP if your symptoms are severe or unusual.

For example if:

  •  Your cough is severe or lasts longer than three weeks
  • You have a constant fever of 38c or above for more than three days
  • You cough up mucus streaked with blood
  • You have an underlying heart or lunch condition such as asthma, heart failure or emphysema
  • You are breathing rapidly (more than 30 breaths a minute) or develop chest pains
  • You become drowsy or confused
  • You have had repeated episodes of bronchitis.

For more information about to self-manage common winter ailments, please visit nhs.uk/staywell