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Burns

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 20 minutes. If the skin is unbroken but blistered apply a loose dressing. If the burn is larger than 8-10 cm in diameter or if the skin is broken, visit your local minor injury or A&E department.

Chest Pain

Doctors take all chest pains very seriously as it may indicate a serious condition like a heart attack. Your doctor may be able to advise you, but if the pain is severe and lasts for more than 15 minutes - please call 999.

Injuries/Accidents

It is usually best to attend the Accident & Emergency or the Minor Injury Unit, however if your injury occurred over 48 hours ago, a GP or Nurse Practitioner could give advice.

Colds

Even in this day and age, there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed and ensure you. If you have a headache or are feverish, then decongestants may be useful for a few days, along with paracetamol or other such analgesics. Do not take any antibiotics you may have in the house - these will have no effect.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting

Usually due to a viral infection or sudden change of diet. The best treatment is to rest, eat little and often and drink clear fluids such as Dioralyte. It is unwise to take ‘over the counter’ preparations as these may prolong the illness. Young children and babies need careful attention and advice should be sought from your surgery.

Earache

This can often be helped by paracetamol and measures to decongest (including steam and inhalations like Karvol). Children with persistent earache should ring their surgery.

Minor Illness & Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics are important and have led to a revolution in the management of infectious disease. However, due to antibiotic resistance, they are becoming less effective against certain types of bacterial infection. It is important to use them responsibly so that we reduce the risk of resistant bacteria in the future.

Most simple upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses on which antibiotics have no effect at all – remember they only work for bacterial infections. If your surgery feels that the likelihood is that your infection is caused by a virus, then he or she will recommend simple measures such as paracetamol to treat the symptoms as your body’s immune system deals with the virus.

Please do not feel that your Doctor does not understand how ill you feel or is refusing you treatment if you are not given antibiotics for a viral illness. It is very important for your future health that antibiotics are still effective if you develop a serious bacterial infection.

Nose Bleeds

Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours. If bleeding does not stop, contact your surgery immediately.

Sore Throat/Tonsilitis

Most sore throats get better within a few days, whatever treatment is given. Most are caused by viruses and therefore do not respond to antibiotics. Take analgesics (e.g. paracetamol) and suck lozenges for relief of symptoms.

Flu Jabs

The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to help protect them against catching flu and developing serious complications.

You should have the flu vaccine if you:

• are 65 years old or over
• are pregnant
• have a chronic conidtions
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• receive a carer's allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill.