Prepare yourself and your family for the winter with some straightforward tips

To help keep you healthy this winter, we’ve put together a few tips on how to look after yourself over the festive season.

Many common winter illnesses can be safely treated at home and by helping yourself you will also be helping NHS Lothian – allowing them to focus their efforts on getting help to those who need it most this winter.

Keep a supply of remedies at home to help care for you and your family over the festive season.

Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin all help to reduce raised temperatures and relieve the aches and pains associated with coughs, colds and flu.

Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years old.

For expert health advice, ask at your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist will be pleased to provide you with advice and information on a wide range of minor illnesses and ailments and the remedies available to treat them.

Have a thermometer handy to check your child’s temperature if they become unwell.

Check medicines in your home are up-to-date and keep them in their original labelled container. Always follow instructions on the box or label.

Many cold and flu remedies already contain paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin.

Using several products together can be very dangerous and can lead to an overdose.

Products are labelled to say they contain paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, so always check before using them.

To combat the cold, remember layers of thinner clothing are more effective than one thick layer. Choose clothes made of wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic fibres.

If you have a cough, cold or flu:

• A cough mixture can be useful for a dry cough
• Non-medicated pastilles or boiled sweets can help reduce the pain of a sore throat
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic liquids to replace fluids lost in sweating
• Keep warm and rest as much as you can.

Would antibiotics help?

Antibiotics help fight infections caused by bacteria. They need to be used sensibly and should not be taken when we don’t need them.

Antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Viruses cause all colds and most coughs and sore throats, so antibiotics won’t help with colds or flu.

To find out pharmacy opening times over the festive season, visit the NHS 24 website at: www.nhs24.com