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Sore Throats
Sore throats are usually
caused by viruses. Unfortunately these kind of viruses can't be got rid of
by antibiotics.
Even if the problem is caused by bacteria, treating them with antibiotics
doesn't usually make a lot of difference.
You can treat your sore throat with hot drinks, throat lozenges (not
suitable for children) and paracetamol. If you can get soluble
paracetamol, you can gargle with this. Try keeping a vacuum flask with a
hot drink by your bed at night if the sore throat keeps waking you up.
Contact the surgery
during opening hours if the sore throat is lasting an unusual length
of time.
Contact the surgery
"out of hours" if
-
you can't swallow
liquids or saliva, (a child may be constantly dribbling)
-
if there is
difficulty breathing
-
if the temperature
is very high
-
if the patient has
had lots of attacks of tonsillitis before or had a quinsy before
-
if the patient seems
unusually ill
Colds and Flu
Colds and Flu are caused by
viruses and don't need antibiotic treatment. It's only if other problems
develop on top of the cold that these may be needed.
The symptoms are
Colds - runny nose, mild
temperature, sneezing, coughs and sore throat.
Flu - a high temperature,
aches in the muscles, headache and a dry cough, sometimes with a runny
nose and sneezing.
To treat colds and flu
-
rest (and don't do
any sports or exercise)
-
drink plenty of
fluids, not alcohol
-
use paracetamol for
your aches and pains and to bring down your temperature
-
wash your hands
regularly and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to avoid
spreading the viruses
Contact the surgery during
opening hours if
-
the fever hasn't
settled after 4 days
-
you have a
persistent cough with green or yellow sputum
-
you may have
sinusitis, with pain above the eyes or in the face
-
you have bad earache
Contact the surgery
"out of hours" if
-
there is chest pain
or shortness of breath
-
if there is a
concern about meningitis
-
if your fluid intake
is poor
-
if a baby
persistently refuses to take feeds
-
if a child starts
acting strangely, for example, unable to sit up or walk, not
speaking normally, drowsy all the time
-
if asthma has
deteriorated
-
if you become
severely ill
-
if you have been in
a malaria zone in the last 12 months
Flu immunisation
All people over 65 and
others whose health makes them more likely to suffer serious harm from flu
are entitled to a flu injection, see flu
immunisation on this site. |
