Quitting smoking increases lung function
3-9 months after quitting smoking, coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
If you have a cold, look after yourself at home: rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthily, take over-the-counter painkillers to reduce fever or discomfort. Decongestants relieve a blocked nose.
Symptoms of a common cold include a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, a cough. More severe symptoms include a high temperature, headache and aching muscles.
A cold is a common mild viral infection and there’s usually no need to see your GP: it should clear within a week or two. Contact your GP if your symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks or get suddenly worse.