The flu viruses that circulate can change from year to year. Completely new flu viruses can emerge and cause global pandemics.

Often people talk about having ‘the flu’. But what they actually have is a cold. Other times people may say they have a ‘heavy cold’ and what they are suffering from is influenza, or the flu.

Many people of all ages suffer from a dry and unproductive cough straight after suffering from a cold, flu or chest infection. Your cold may have cleared up, but your airways could still be irritated. And the worst is that cold drinks and cold air can set you off into a coughing frenzy.

When your throat starts being scratchy, and it’s sore to swallow, then you know that a dreaded sore throat is on the way. And to add to your woes, suffering from a sore throat often comes hand in hand with other conditions like the common cold.