Condition guide
Cold & Flu
Feeling run down with a stuffy nose, cough, and body aches? Get personalised recommendations for cold and flu relief based on your specific symptoms.
Find the right medicinePregnancy & breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy, consult your GP or pharmacist before taking any medication. Some pain relievers and decongestants are not safe during pregnancy or late pregnancy.
Treatment and relief options
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and aches; don't take ibuprofen if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy (paracetamol can be used, but get medical advice before taking it, and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time)
- Decongestants for blocked nose (short-term use; avoid if hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease, glaucoma, pregnancy, or on MAOIs)
- Cough suppressants (dry cough) or expectorants (chesty cough)
- Rest and stay hydrated
- If high-risk for influenza complications, seek GP within 48 hours of symptom onset for possible antivirals
Top picks
Top pick
Demazin Cold & Flu Relief Day + Night
A day and night pack covering the fever, aches and blocked nose together — check the ingredients so you do not double up on paracetamol or decongestants.
Best for a blocked nose
Sudafed Nasal Decongestant
A decongestant for a blocked nose, for short-term use only — avoid it if you have hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease or glaucoma, are pregnant, or take MAOIs.
General information only — check with your pharmacist or GP before starting a new medicine. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
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Children’s Dosage Calculator
Estimate paracetamol & ibuprofen doses by weight
Enter a valid weight to see dosage estimates. Doses are shown from 10 kg to 41 kg.
Read this before you measure
- This is a general estimate only — the product label always takes priority.
- Always check the strength on your specific bottle and pick the matching one above, as brands vary.
- Using baby drops (100 mg/mL)? Follow the dosing chart on that pack instead.
- Use the measuring cup or syringe that comes with the medicine.
- Volumes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 mL, so the mL shown can give a few mg more or less than the mg figure.
- Don’t give paracetamol to babies under 1 month unless a doctor advises it.
- See a doctor if your child needs it for more than 48 hours.
- Children 12 years or older should use an adult product and follow its directions. For a child under 12 who weighs more than 41 kg, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
- Don’t use ibuprofen for babies under 3 months. For children under 12 months, or with asthma or chickenpox, use it only if a doctor advises it.
Not a prescription
This calculator gives general information only and isn’t a substitute for professional advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for your child.
When to get help
- High fever (>39°C) lasting more than 3 days
- Difficulty breathing: call Triple Zero (000) or go to an emergency department
- Chest pain that is severe, getting worse or lasts more than 10 minutes: call Triple Zero (000)
- Productive cough with green/yellow sputum (pneumonia risk)
- Severe headache with neck stiffness
- Symptoms worsening after 7 days
- Confusion or drowsiness: call Triple Zero (000)
Good to know
Cold, flu or COVID-19?
Cold symptoms are usually mild, peak on day 3 or 4 and clear within 7 to 10 days. Sneezing, a sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose are common, while fever and headache are rare in adults. The flu usually makes you feel much more unwell, with fever, headache, tiredness and body aches all common, and in Australia it is most widespread from June to September. Early symptoms overlap, so a rapid antigen self-test (RAT) from a chemist or supermarket can help; some test for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV at once. If one symptom dominates, see sore throat, cough, blocked nose or fever.
Myths, labels and pregnancy
Antibiotics don't help a cold or the flu, because they only treat bacterial infections. Once you have symptoms, vitamin C supplements won't make them milder or shorter, and echinacea and vitamin D don't improve cold symptoms. Many cold and flu tablets already contain paracetamol, so check labels and ask a pharmacist before adding another pain reliever. Don't take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy; paracetamol can be taken during pregnancy. Get medical advice before taking it, and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Get the yearly flu vaccine from April, before flu season; it is free under the National Immunisation Program for people at higher risk.
Sources: healthdirect — Colds; healthdirect — Flu (influenza); healthdirect — Cold or flu? infographic; healthdirect — Medicines for colds, flu (influenza) and COVID-19; healthdirect — Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
Frequently asked questions
Flu has sudden onset with high fever and severe body aches. Colds develop gradually with milder symptoms.
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Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.