Can I give paracetamol or ibuprofen to my child along with cough or cold medicines?

It depends on the child's age and whether the cough or cold medicine contains paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If your child is under six, you should not give them over-the-counter cough or cold medicines.

If your child is six or older, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen if you think they really need it - you could try other remedies first, such as a warm drink of lemon and honey. Coughs and colds often get better by themselves. Make sure your child drinks plenty and gets enough rest.

Always check the label, leaflet or packaging on cough and cold medicine to make sure it does not contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, to avoid overdosing. If you're not sure, ask a pharmacist.

As with all medicines, follow the manufacturer's instructions on what dose to give. And don't give your child more than one cough or cold medicine at the same time.

Never give aspirin to children under 16 unless prescribed by a doctor.

WHAT IS...

GOITRE?

A goitre (sometimes spelled 'goiter') is a swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump to form in the throat, and affects an estimated 4-7% of people. However, in most cases, the swelling is so small it cannot be seen. Goitres are more common in women than men.

The thyroid gland is not usually noticeable. However, if it swells it produces a lump in the throat. In most cases, the swelling is small and does not cause any symptoms, but in severe cases, the swelling can affect breathing and swallowing.

Goitres can have a number of causes, including an overactive thyroid gland, an underactive thyroid gland, pregnancy or a lack of iodine in the diet.

Can I have an X-ray if I'm pregnant?

If possible, you should avoid having an X-ray while you're pregnant.

Your healthcare professional will assess whether your treatment can wait until you've had your baby.

For example, they will assess whether the benefits of treatment outweigh the low risk of having an X-ray.

They may also consider using another imaging method instead, such as an ultrasound scan.

If you go to the dentist, make sure your dentist knows that you're pregnant.

If you need a dental X-ray, your dentist will usually wait until you've had the baby, even though most dental X-rays don't affect the abdomen or pelvic area.

If your healthcare professional recommends an X-ray, the lowest possible dose of radiation will be used.

If you think you might be pregnant or you're not sure, still tell your healthcare professional. They will take this into account when assessing your treatment options.