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Managing
Minor Illness
Everybody manages the
majority of their health problems with simple treatments or medication from
a pharmacist. We know that only the minority of health problems are brought
to the attention of doctors or nurses. This section is improve your confidence
in managing minor illnesses at home. There are short summaries of advice for
some of the commonest minor illnesses.
The NHS
Direct Website has a very comprehensive minor illness section which
leads you through with Yes / No answers to a suggested course of action.
Common
Colds and Sore Throats
Most infections in
the nose and throat are caused by viruses and, in generally healthy individuals,
the infection will clear up by itself over several days. Green catarrh or
pus spots on the tonsils do not mean that antibiotics will be required. It
is very important to take treatment to control any temperature
and maintain a good fluid intake. Your local Pharmacist may be able to give
advice on other soothing remedies. If a sore throat is unusually severe
and showing no sign of improving after 4-5 days, then antibiotics may be
of value.
Children
with Earache
Most ear
infections in children are viral infections and they will get better without
needing antibiotics. Studies show that if we treat twenty children with
antibiotics, only one gets better faster for having the drug. However one
child will also be made unwell by the antibiotic (upset stomach or rashes).
Nineteen out of twenty times, children get better just as quickly when given
pain-killers alone such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. If the earache persists
for 3-4 days, if the child is particularly unwell, if there is pus or discharge
from the ear, then antibiotics may be required.
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Controlling
Temperatures
Fever control is important
in managing many minor illnesses - it will help you or your child feel much
more comfortable
- Remove clothing
- to the skin if necessary. Shivering indicates high fever - do not wrap
up as this makes matters worse
- Reduce the room
temperature
- Regular Paracetamol.
Ibuprofen may be given in addition if over 6 months old. It is always
safe to give these with antibiotics
- Drink plenty of
clear fluids
- Use a fan if you
have one
- For children, if
these measures fail, sponge down with warm water, allowing the skin to
dry to the air. Do not use cold baths
Cystitis
Cystitis is usually
caused by infection in the bladder and leads to pain or burning on urination
and needing to urinate more often than usual. Mild infections often settle
within 24 - 48 hours. Initial advice is to drink plenty of clear fluids
( 2 - 3 litres in 24 hours), take a simple painkiller and consider getting
a treatment packet from your pharmacist. If symptoms are severe or persist
after 2 days, you should arrange to see the doctor (bring a fresh urine
sample with you). You should be seen earlier if you are also suffering from
a high fever, persistent pain in the back or vomiting. Men with cystitis
symptoms should consult the doctor.
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Toothache
Doctors have no training
in treating dental conditions and are advised not to start treatments, like
antibiotics, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Your dentist should
be able to provide an emergency service. There is an emergency dental service
at Frimley Park Hospital (01276 604604). If you are having difficulty finding
a NHS dentist, the Health Authority can offer help (01276 692919)
Diarrhoea
The most important
step is keeping a good fluid intake by mouth. Give clear fluids (water,
dilute squash or flat lemonade) for 24 hours and then only light food (bread,
biscuit, rice) for another 24 hours. You should seek advice for children
under the age of 1 year. With older children and adults, diarrhoea illnesses
usually last for 2-3 days. Dehydration is very rare as long as fluids are
given by mouth. Seek advice if the diarrhoea is very severe (every 1-2 hours),
contains blood or continues for more than 2-3 days. Also seek advice if
vomiting makes it hard to keep down fluids or pains in the abdomen are severe
or continuous.
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Insect
Bites & Stings
Most of the redness
and swelling in the first 2 -3 days after a bite or sting is reaction to
the bite or sting and not infection. Antibiotics make no difference
to this early redness and swelling. Initially, using ice packs to cool the
area will help with both pain and swelling. Consider taking an antihistamine
tablet, available from your pharmacist. If redness and swelling is still
increasing after 2 - 3 days, then you should arrange to see the Doctor.
Rashes
Many minor virus infection
also cause skin rashes in children - either as part of the illness or as
a result of a temperature. Illnesses such as Scarlet Fever, Measles and
Meningitis are very rare. Do not forget the "tumbler test" - firmly
press a glass against the rash. If, looking through the glass, the rash
has faded with the pressure, then it is extremely unlikely to be a meningitis
rash. Viral and temperature rashes are fine red rashes, mainly on the trunk,
that may come and go and disappear with the "tumbler test". If
your child is very unwell with a high fever or drowsiness, or you are uncertain
about the rash, then we will see them very quickly at the surgery.
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