Minor Illnesses

Get the Right Treatment

Every year, millions of us go to our GP for minor health problems that can be easily fixed without an appointment.

It is estimated that 50 million visits to the GP each year are for minor issues like coughs, colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. If you visit your pharmacy instead, you could save time and hassle.

Self-care

Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor problems. Colds, coughs, indigestion, and other minor issues can often be treated with over-the-counter medicines without a prescription.

Your pharmacist can suggest useful items to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label, and see your doctor if your illness continues or gets worse.

Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists provide free health advice whenever you need it—you don’t need an appointment. They can help with everyday illnesses like coughs, colds, aches, and pains. They can also answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local pharmacist can give advice on healthy eating.

Pharmacists can also help with issues like obesity and quitting smoking. Some have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you see your GP if you have more serious symptoms. You can buy many medicines from them without a prescription.

NHS Walk-In Centres

NHS Walk-In Centres provide easy access to various NHS services for patients in England. You can get treatment for many issues, including:

• Broken bones (fractures)
• Burns
• Cuts and bruises
• Emergency contraception and advice
• Infection and rashes
• Stomach upsets
• Strains and sprains

NHS Walk-In Centres treat about 750,000 patients each year and work well alongside traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres have doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not meant for treating long-term conditions or life-threatening problems.

Accident & Emergency (A&E)

Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies. If you’re injured or seriously ill, you should go to A&E or be taken there. If you need an ambulance, call 999, the emergency number in the UK. You can also call 112, which is the number used in the European Union.

Major A&E departments are open 365 days a year, usually 24 hours a day. Keep in mind that not all hospitals have an A&E department.

Coughs & Colds

A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause nasal stuffiness, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. Usually it’s a self-limiting infection – this means it gets better by itself without the need for treatment.

On average, adults have two to five colds each year and school-age children can have up to eight colds a year. Adults who come into contact with children tend to get more colds. This is because children usually carry more of the virus, for longer.

In the UK, you’re more likely to get a cold during the winter months although the reasons why aren’t fully understood at present.

Treatment of a cold

For most people, a cold will get better on its own within a week of the symptoms starting without any specific treatment. However, there are treatments that can help to ease your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. These are available from your pharmacy, which means that you can treat yourself, rather than needing to see your GP.

There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections caused by bacteria, don’t work on cold viruses.

Self-help for a cold

There are a number of self-help measures that may help to ease the symptoms of a cold.

• Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Steam inhalations with menthol, salt water nasal sprays or drops may be helpful.
• Vapour rubs may help relieve symptoms for children.
• Hot drinks (particularly with lemon), hot soups and spicy foods can help to ease irritation and pain in your throat.
• Sucking sweets or lozenges which contain menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat.
• Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat.

You should try to make sure you get enough rest if you have a cold. It’s not usually necessary to stay off work or school.

Common cold – NHS or Flu – NHS
Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Diarrhoea

Acute diarrhoea is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection and can affect almost everyone from time to time. A common cause in both children and adults is gastroenteritis, which is an infection of the bowel.

In adults, diarrhoea can also happen because of anxiety or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Sometimes, diarrhoea is a side effect of medication.

Diarrhoea and vomiting – NHS
Symptoms, causes, treatment and information

Macmillan Cancer Support
Diarrhoea as a result of cancer treatments

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

First Aid

British Red Cross – First Aid Tips
Simple, straightforward and easy to understand first aid tips

St Johns Ambulance
St John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least the basic first aid techniques.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.