CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Common cold - How up-to-date is this topic?
Changes
Version 1.3, revision planned in 2011.
Last revised in May 2007
October 2010 — technical update. The management section of this topic has been simplified to improve clarity and navigation. There have been no changes to the clinical content or meaning of the recommendations.
March 2009 — minor update. New advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regarding over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children has been added, specifically that certain antitussives, expectorants, nasal decongestants, and antihistamines should not be used in children under 6 years of age [MHRA, 2009]. Issued in April 2009.
January to May 2007 — converted from PRODIGY guidance to CKS topic structure. The evidence-base has been reviewed in detail, and recommendations are more clearly justified and transparently linked to the supporting evidence.
There are no major changes to the recommendations for management of the common cold. More detail has been added about the diagnosis of the common cold, the differential diagnosis, complications that may occur, and the use of common remedies.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement