Get help with minor illnesses and injuries:
A cough will usually clear up on its own within three to four weeks. There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.
How you can treat a cough yourself
You should:
You could also try:
But there is limited evidence to show that these work. Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines.
A pharmacist can help if you have a cough
If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:
These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough. Find a pharmacy here.
See a GP if:
See a GP urgently if you are coughing up blood.
What happens at your appointment
Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them. Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include:
A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.
Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It is important to get the flu vaccine if you are advised to.
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
How to treat flu yourself
If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly.
Do:
A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.
Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it is easy to take more than the recommended dose. Find a pharmacy here.
Antibiotics
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for flu because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You or your child have symptoms of flu and:
You can call 111 or get help from NHS 111 online.
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you:
Find your nearest emergency department here.
How to avoid spreading the flu
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You are more likely to give it to others in the first five days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
See how to wash your hands correctly here.
How to get a flu vaccine
Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They are offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. But you can get vaccinated later.
Find out more about the flu vaccine:
Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is very common. It usually improves within a few weeks but can sometimes last longer or keep coming back. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.
Causes of back pain
Back pain can have many causes. It's not always obvious what causes it, and it often gets better on its own.
A common cause of back pain is an injury like a pulled muscle (strain).
Sometimes, medical conditions like a slipped disc, sciatica (a trapped nerve) or ankylosing spondylitis can cause back pain.
Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer or an infection.
How to ease back pain yourself
Back pain often improves on its own within a few weeks. There are things you can do to help speed up your recovery.
Do not stay in bed for long periods of time.
There are specific exercises and stretches you can do to help with back pain. But stop if your pain gets worse and see a GP for advice. Click here to watch a physiotherapist show some simple back stretches to help prevent aches and pains. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga and pilates may also help ease back pain.
What we mean by severe pain
You have back pain and:
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you have back pain and:
Treatments for back pain
If your back pain is severe or not getting better, a GP may prescribe painkillers or medicines to relax the muscles in your back.
Other treatments may be recommended if your pain does not get better after a few weeks.
These include:
If your back pain is caused by a medical condition like a slipped disc and other treatments have not helped, surgery may be an option.
Burns and scalds are damage to the skin usually caused by heat. Both are treated in the same way.
A burn is caused by dry heat – by an iron or fire, for example. A scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam.
Burns can be very painful and may cause:
The amount of pain you feel is not always related to how serious the burn is. Even a very serious burn may be relatively painless.
Treating burns and scalds
To treat a burn, follow the first aid advice below:
Read more about treating burns and scalds.
When to get medical attention
Depending on how serious a burn is, it may be possible to treat it at home. For minor burns, keep the burn clean and do not burst any blisters that form. More serious burns require professional medical attention.
You should go to a hospital emergency department for:
If someone has breathed in smoke or fumes, they should also get medical attention.
Some symptoms may be delayed and can include:
People at greater risk from the effects of burns, such as children under 10-years-old, should also get medical attention after a burn or scald.
The size and depth of the burn will be assessed, and the affected area cleaned before a dressing is applied. In severe cases, skin graft surgery may be recommended.
Read more about:
Types of burn
Burns are assessed by how seriously your skin is damaged and which layers of skin are affected.
Your skin has three layers:
There are four main types of burn, which tend to have a different appearances and different symptoms:
Preventing burns and scalds
Many severe burns and scalds affect babies and young children. Examples of things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of your child having a serious accident at home include:
Read more about preventing burns and scalds.
Further advice
If you need advice about a burn or scald, you can:
Most cuts and grazes can be treated at home and will start to heal in a few days. But some wounds may need to be treated by a medical professional if there is a risk of infection or the cut is serious.
How to treat a cut or graze yourself
You can treat a cut or graze yourself by stopping any bleeding, cleaning the wound, and covering it with a plaster or dressing. This will help stop it from getting infected.
If it is painful, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (but do not give aspirin to children under 16).
What to do if the wound is bleeding a lot
How to clean and dress a cut or graze
If the bleeding has stopped, you can clean a small wound and then put a plaster or dressing over it.
Find out more:
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if:
Find your nearest emergency department.
Treatments for cuts and grazes
How a cut or graze is treated will depend on how bad it is and if there is a risk of it becoming infected.
The cut will be cleaned and closed with either stitches, strips or special glue before a dressing is put over it.
But the wound may not be closed straight away if it is infected or there is a risk it may get infected.
You may also need to have an injection to prevent tetanus or be given antibiotics if the cut could be infected.
Most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious.
How you can ease headaches yourself
Headaches can last between 30 minutes and several hours.
Do not:
Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you or your child has a severe headache and:
Also, get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child is under 12 and has any one of the following:
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you or your child:
You or your child has an extremely painful headache and:
Also, call 999 or go to the emergency department if your child is under 12 and has any one of the following:
What can cause headaches?
The most common reasons are:
You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You should begin to feel better in about one to two weeks.
Cold symptoms come on gradually and can include:
The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes symptoms last longer in children.
How you can treat a cold yourself
To help you get better more quickly:
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
A pharmacist can help with cold medicines
You can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets. A pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine.
You can:
Decongestants should not be given to children under six. Children aged six to 12 should take them for no longer than five days.
Be careful not to use cough and cold medicines if you are taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. Cough and cold medicines often also contain paracetamol and ibuprofen so it can be easy to take more than the recommended dose.
Some are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women.
There is little evidence that supplements (such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic) prevent colds or speed up recovery.
Find a pharmacy here.
Non-urgent advice
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and colds are caused by viruses.
How to avoid spreading a cold
Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. You are infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes one to two weeks.
Colds are spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading a cold:
How to prevent catching a cold
A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished.
The best ways to avoid catching a cold are:
The flu vaccine helps prevent the flu but not colds.
Sprains and strains are common injuries affecting the muscles and ligaments. Most can be treated at home without seeing a GP.
It is likely to be a sprain or strain if:
Find out if it is a sprain or a strain here.
How to treat sprains and strains yourself
For the first couple of days, follow the four steps known as RICE therapy to help bring down swelling and support the injury:
To help prevent swelling, try to avoid heat (such as hot baths and heat packs), alcohol and massages for the first couple of days.
When you can move the injured area without pain stopping you, try to keep moving it so the joint or muscle does not become stiff.
Speak to a pharmacist about the best treatment for you. They might suggest tablets, or a cream or gel you rub on the skin.
At first, try painkillers like paracetamol to ease the pain and ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray to bring down swelling.
If needed, you can take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup that you swallow.
After two weeks, most sprains and strains will feel better.
Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to eight weeks, as there is a risk of further damage.
Severe sprains and strains can take months to get back to normal.
You cannot always prevent sprains and strains
Sprains and strains happen when you overstretch or twist a muscle.
Not warming up before exercising, tired muscles and playing sport are common causes.
Get advice from NHS 111 now if:
NHS 111 will tell you what to do. They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.
Get help from NHS 111 online or call 111.
You may be given self-care advice or prescribed a stronger painkiller.
If you need an X-ray, it might be possible to have one at the unit, or you may be referred to hospital.
Physiotherapy for sprains and strains
If you have a sprain or strain that's taking longer than usual to get better, a GP may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy from the NHS might not be available everywhere and waiting times can be long. You can also get it privately.
Find a physiotherapist here.
You may have broken a bone and will need an X-ray.
Advice for patients with a suspected dental abscess.
What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is when an infection causes a collection of pus to develop in or around the teeth or gums. These can occur when bacteria gets into the gums or teeth due to tooth decay or sometimes because of trauma.
How do I know if I have a dental abscess?
Symptoms that may suggest a dental abscess include pain or swelling in your gum, high temperature, or a horrible taste in your mouth. More severe symptoms can include feeling unwell and difficulty opening your mouth.
What do I do if I think I may have a dental abscess?
It is best to see your dentist as soon as possible for an urgent assessment. Your dentist should usually arrange to see you within 48 hours. In the meantime, you should take regular painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to help control your symptoms.
Why can’t I just see my GP for treatment?
Definitive treatment for a dental abscess can only be given by a dentist, not your GP. The National Institute of Clinical Excellent guidelines state patients should be seen by a dentist for assessment as soon as possible. GPs are not trained in managing dental problems and simply treating with antibiotics will not eliminate the source of infection. Sometimes dental abscesses can lead to serious complications if not managed appropriately by seeing a dentist. This can include loss of the affected tooth, but can also lead to the spread of infection to the bone or brain causing sepsis, which is a life-threatening systemic infection. Furthermore, if prescribed an antibiotic by your GP, this can potentially mask the condition and make it harder for your dentist to diagnose, leading to a delay in definitive management.
If you are not registered with a local dentist, it’s a good idea to do so before you have any issues and to ensure you get regular check-ups. Find your local dentist here.
If you are not registered with a dentist and have a dental emergency, please call 111 for advice.
Norovirus, also called the vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days.
The main symptoms of norovirus are:
You may also have:
The symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected.
How to treat norovirus yourself
You can usually treat yourself or your child at home.
The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
You will usually start to feel better in two to three days.
Find out how to treat diarrhoea and vomiting in children and adults
School, nursery or work
Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days. This is when you are most infectious. Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time. Norovirus can spread very easily.
You can catch norovirus from:
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
NHS 111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
A pharmacy can also advise on minor illnesses and injuries:
Alternatively, you can visit your nearest minor injury unit.
If you are not sure what condition you have, or how severe it is, you can use the NHS 111 symptom checker.
