I ve got I ve got a cold! Marcel feels awful. He s got a cold. He s got an appointment to see the doctor. He hopes the doctor can make him better quickly. a cold! ISBN 0-7306-5646-2 9 780730 656463 NPSER0259
AMES, NPS 2005 AMES: GPO Box 4381QQ, Melbourne, 3001 Email: publications@ames.net.au Web: www.ames.net.au ABN 49 056 993 913 NPS: PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, 2012 Tel: 02 8217 8700 Email: info@nps.org.au Web: www.nps.org.au ABN 61 082 034 393 ISBN: 0-7306-5646-2 I ve got a cold! Development Team AMES: Lilliana Hajncl, Paul Learmonth, Jenni Guilfoyle, Langdon Rodda National Prescribing Service: Jennifer Davis, Amanda Bray, Dr Cate Kelly Acknowledgements Funded by the Australian Government Disclaimer The information contained in this resource is for educational purposes only. This publication does not provide medical advice. Professional advice should be sought in relation to making any decisions based on this material. The resource should not be used for commercial gain or by anyone who has a conflict of interest with NPS as an independent Australian organisation for the Quality Use of Medicines. National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. NPS works in partnership with General Practitioners, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community to improve the health of all Australians through Quality Use of Medicines. Copyright Notice No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or stored in a database or retrieval system, or transmitted or distributed in any form by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission from AMES and NPS. Normal copying restrictions for educational purposes apply. Other copying without authorisation is illegal. However, further copies of this resource can be downloaded from the AMES and the NPS websites, www.ames.net.au and www.nps.org.au
I ve got a cold! My daughter is sick too. She s got a headache, her throat hurts and she s got a cough. She s in bed. She s not going to school today and I m not going to work today, either. Oh, I feel awful! I ve got a runny nose and a sore throat. My ears are blocked and my eyes are sore. I feel really tired and I ve got a bad headache. I m hot and I can t stop sneezing. 1 2
I really don t feel well. I just want to stay in bed, but I have to make an appointment to see the doctor. When I can t go to work, I need a doctor s certificate to say that I am sick. I hope he can make me better quickly! Doctor: So, Mr. Sandos, you ve got a runny nose, a mild temperature and a headache. Have you got any other symptoms? Marcel: Yes, my ears are blocked and my throat hurts when I swallow. Doctor: Uh huh. Now, I m going to listen to your chest. Do you have a cough? Marcel: No, I don t, but I can t stop sneezing. 3 4
Doctor: Hmm... Well, you ve got a cold. Go home and go to bed. I ll give you a doctor s certificate for the next two days. Marcel: Thank you. Can you give me some antibiotics so I can get better quickly? Doctor: Ah... Antibiotics won t help you. Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don t fight viruses. They fight infections caused by bacteria. It s not good to take antibiotics when you don t need them. If you do, they may not work as well when you do need them. Marcel: Oh, so what should I do to get better quickly? Doctor: Well, most colds last for five to seven days. You should rest, drink water, and treat the symptoms. Marcel: Treat the symptoms? Doctor: Yes, that means do something to make you feel a little better for a time. For example, you can take paracetamol for the headache and temperature. You can suck ice or throat lozenges for the sore throat. You can take a nasal decongestant to dry your nose. 5 6
Doctor: Now, is anyone else at home sick? Marcel: Well, yes, my daughter has a headache, a cough and a bit of a sore throat too. She s staying home from school today. Doctor: OK. Make sure she rests and drinks enough fluid you know, as much water or juice as she usually drinks. Marcel: Can I give her medicine for her headache? Doctor: Yes, you can. Your daughter s eight, isn t she? Ask the pharmacist which headache medicine is best for the age and weight of your child. Make sure you read the dose on the label. Marcel: Yes, I ll go to the pharmacist on my way home. Doctor: If her symptoms get worse, or you are worried about her, bring her to see me. Sometimes a throat infection needs antibiotics. 7 8
Doctor: And what about your wife and son? Are they well? Marcel: Yes, they are. Marcel: Yes, I don t want my wife to get sick! Who would look after us? Doctor: Exactly! And here s your doctor s certificate. Take care, and hope you feel better soon. Marcel: Thanks doctor. Doctor: That s good. You don t want them to catch the cold. Make sure you and your daughter use tissues to blow your nose and when you sneeze. Then throw the tissues away. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, and wash your hands frequently. That helps to stop the cold from spreading to other people. 9 10