Managing respiratory infections this winter
Respiratory infections are extremely common at this time of year, writes Dr Luke Harvey in this partner content from Bulli Medical Practice
Winter is here and with it comes the season of coughs, colds and flu. Respiratory infections are extremely common — and it is entirely normal to catch several in a single year, particularly for children. It can feel relentless but understanding what to expect and how to manage your symptoms well can make a real difference to your recovery.
Symptoms to watch for
Common symptoms include sore throat, runny or blocked nose, cough, headache, fatigue and body aches. Influenza often brings a high fever or chills lasting around five days. One thing worth knowing: you may feel unwell for longer than you expect. Research suggests the median duration of a respiratory infection is around three weeks meaning roughly half of all people will feel under the weather for longer than that.
Treatment
The overwhelming majority of respiratory infections are caused by viruses which means antibiotics will not help. Treatment is focused on managing your symptoms while your body does the work. Plenty of rest and paracetamol for pain and fever remain the best approach. Recent research also shows that saline nasal sprays can help reduce the duration of a viral illness — a simple and affordable addition to your winter medicine cabinet.
When to see a doctor
Most respiratory infections can be managed at home but please come and see us if you notice any of the following:
- High fever lasting more than five days
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Symptoms that are worsening or you are not sure about
At Bulli Medical Practice we run a dedicated respiratory clinic every day. Please note this clinic is available by telephone booking only — call us on 4284 4622 to make an appointment.
Dr Luke Harvey graduated from Western Sydney University and completed hospital training in western Sydney before qualifying as a specialist GP in 2019. He returned to the northern Illawarra in 2022 with his family and has additional training in dermoscopy and skin cancer medicine.
Bulli Medical Practice supports independent local news through regular advertising and partner content in The Illawarra Flame magazine.
