A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.

How you can treat a cough yourself

There’s usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.

You should:

• rest
• drink plenty of fluids
• 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

You could also try:

• paracetamol  or ibuprofen  to treat any pain
• hot lemon and honey (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)
• a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over)

But there’s limited evidence to show these work. Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines. How to make a hot lemon and honey drink 

Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you’re pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.

A pharmacist can help if you have a cough

If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:

• cough syrup
• cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old)
• cough sweets

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

See a GP if:

• you’ve had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough)
• you’re losing weight for no reason
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing
• you feel very unwell
• you have chest pain
• the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)
• you find it hard to breathe
• you’re coughing up blood

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

What happens at your appointment

To find out what’s causing your cough, the GP might:

• listen to your chest with a stethoscope
• take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up
• order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work
• refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare

Important

Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you’re at risk of complications.

What causes coughs

Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu.

Other causes include:

• smoking
• heartburn (acid reflux)
• allergies – for example, hay fever
• infections like bronchitis or COVID-19
• mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose

A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.

Common cold

Check if you have a cold

Cold symptoms come on gradually over 2 to 3 days.

The main symptoms include:

• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• a sore throat
• a hoarse voice
• a cough
• feeling tired and unwell

You may also have:

• a high temperature
• aching muscles
• a loss of taste and smell
• a feeling of pressure in your ears and face

Symptoms of a cold can last longer in young children. They may also be irritable, have difficulty feeding and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and get sick after coughing.Telling the difference between cold and flu 

How you can treat a cold yourself

You can usually treat a cold at home without seeing a GP.

There are things you can do to help you get better more quickly.

Do

• get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluid, such as water, to avoid dehydration
• eat healthy food (it’s common for small children to lose their appetite for a few days)
• gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
• drink a hot lemon and honey drink to soothe a sore throat
• breathe in steam to ease a blocked nose – try sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running

Don’t

• do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water because of the risk of scalding
• do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16
• do not smoke as it can make your symptoms worse

How to make a hot lemon and honey drink 

If you have a high temperature or 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, such as:

• medicines like paracetamol  or ibuprofen  to ease aches or lower a temperature
• decongestant nasal sprays, drops or tablets to unblock your nose (decongestants should not be used by children under 6)
• vapour rubs to help ease chesty coughs in babies and small children

You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse.

Do not use other cough and cold medicines if you’re also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as you may take more medicine than you should.

Some cough and cold medicines are also not suitable for babies, children and pregnant women.

There’s little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help you get better more quickly.

Find a pharmacy 

See a GP if:

• you have a high temperature for more than 3 days
• your cold symptoms get worse
• your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery
• you feel short of breath or have chest pain
• you’re worried about your child’s cold symptoms
• your cold symptoms do not get better after 10 days
• you have a cough for more than 3 weeks
• you get cold symptoms and you have a long-term medical condition (for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition)
• you get cold symptoms and you have a weakened immune system (for example, because you’re having chemotherapy)

GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

Antibiotics only work if you have a bacterial infection, but colds are caused by viruses.

How to avoid spreading a cold

Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people.

You’re infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. It can be longer in babies and young children.

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:

• wash your hands often with warm water and soap
• use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
• bin used tissues as quickly as possible

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:

• washing your hands with warm water and soap
• not sharing towels or household items (like cups or children’s toys) with someone who has a cold
• not touching your eyes or nose in case you’ve come into contact with the virus
• staying fit and healthy

The flu vaccine does not prevent colds.

How you can ease headaches yourself

Headaches can last 30 minutes, several hours, or sometimes several days.

Do

• drink plenty of water
• get plenty of rest if you also have a cold or the flu
• try to relax – stress can make headaches worse
• take paracetamol  or ibuprofen 
• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you also have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities

Don’t

• do not drink alcohol
• do not skip meals (even if you might not feel like eating anything)
• do not sleep more than you usually would – it can make the headache worse
• do not strain your eyes for a long time – for example, by looking at a screen

See a GP if:

• your headache keeps coming back
• painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse
• you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache
• you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful
• you regularly get headaches before or during your period

Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:

You or your child has a severe headache and:

• jaw pain when eating
• blurred or double vision
• a sore scalp
• other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs

Also get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child is under 12 and has any 1 of the following:

• a headache that wakes them at night
• a headache when they wake up in the morning
• a headache that gets progressively worse
• a headache triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or bending down
• a headache with vomiting
• a headache with a squint (where the eyes point in different directions) or an inability to look upward

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

What can cause headaches

Common causes of headaches include:

• having a cold or flu
• stress
• drinking too much alcohol
• bad posture
• eyesight problems
• not eating regular meals
• not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
• taking too many painkillers
• having your period or during menopause (hormone headache)

Keeping a headache diary might help you work out what triggers your headaches.

The Migraine Trust has advice about what to record in a headache diary 

Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms, or medicines you can take to help.

Check if you have hay fever

Symptoms of hay fever include:

• sneezing and coughing
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes
• itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• loss of smell
• pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
• headache
• feeling tired

Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.

Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

How to treat hay fever yourself

There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it. But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.

Do

• put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen
• wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
• shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
• keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
• try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner

Don’t

• do not cut grass or walk on grass
• do not spend too much time outside
• do not keep fresh flowers in the house
• do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse
• do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
• do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors

Speak to a pharmacist if you have hay fever. they can give you advice and suggest the best treatments to help with symptoms, such as:

• antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays
• steroid nasal sprays

Some antihistamines can make you very sleepy, so speak to your pharmacist about non-drowsy antihistamines if you need to.

Find a pharmacy 

Find out more about hay fever and allergic rhinitis from Allergy UK 

See a GP if:

• your symptoms are getting worse
• your symptoms do not improve after taking medicines from the pharmacy

Treatments for hay fever from a GP

The GP might prescribe a steroid treatment if you have hay fever.

If steroids and other hay fever treatments do not work, the GP may refer you for immunotherapy.

This means you’ll be given small amounts of pollen as an injection or tablet to slowly build up your immunity to pollen.

This kind of treatment usually starts a few months before the hay fever season begins.

Immunotherapy is a specialist service that may not be available everywhere.

Causes of hay fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to the fine powder that plants produce, called pollen, usually when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat.

Find out more about the pollen forecast from the Met Office 

In this video, an expert explains how hay fever is diagnosed, as well as the symptoms and treatment.

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

• stay active and try to continue with your daily activities
• take anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen  – paracetamol on its own is not recommended for back pain but it may be used with another painkiller
• use an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to reduce pain and swelling
• use a heat pack (or hot water bottle) wrapped in a tea towel to relieve joint stiffness or muscle spasms
• try doing some exercises and stretches for back pain

Don’t

• 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.

In this video, a physiotherapist shows some simple back stretches to help prevent aches and pains.

Other places to find back pain exercises include:

• NHS back pain pilates video workout 
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: video exercises for back pain 
• BackCare: exercises for back pain 

Activities like walking, swimming, yoga and pilates may also help ease back pain.

See a GP if:

• back pain does not improve after treating it at home for a few weeks
• the pain is stopping you doing your day-to-day activities
• the pain is severe or getting worse over time
• you’re worried about the pain or you’re struggling to cope

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from 111 if:

You have back pain and:

• a high temperature
• you’ve lost weight without trying to
• there’s a lump or swelling in your back or your back has changed shape
• the pain does not improve after resting or is worse at night
• the pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
• the pain is coming from the top of your back (between your shoulders), rather than your lower back

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

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:

• group exercise sessions and physiotherapy
• manual therapy – where a trained therapist massages and moves the muscles, bones and joints in your back
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)  to help you cope with the pain
• a procedure to seal off some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals (only for long-term lower back pain)

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.

Self-refer for treatment

If you have back pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

• ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
• check your GP surgery’s website
• contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB 
• search online for NHS treatment for back pain near you

Sprains and strains are common injuries affecting the muscles and ligaments. Most can be treated at home without seeing a GP.

Sprains and strains

Check if you have a sprain or strain

It’s likely to be a sprain or strain if:

• you have pain, tenderness or weakness – usually around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back
• the injured area is swollen or bruised
• you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally
• you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their own

Is it a sprain or a strain? 

How to treat sprains and strains yourself

For the first 2 to 3 days after a sprain or strain, follow the 5 steps known as PRICE therapy to help bring down swelling and support the injury:

1. Protection – protect the injury, for example by using a support, or shoes that support your foot or ankle.
2. Rest – stop any exercise or activities and try not to put any weight on the injury.
3. Ice – apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel) to the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
4. Compression – wrap a bandage around the injury to support it during the day.
5. Elevate – keep it raised on a pillow as much as possible.

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.

A pharmacist can help with sprains and strains

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.

Find a pharmacy 

How long it takes for a sprain or strain to heal

After 2 weeks, most sprains and strains will feel better.

Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks, as there’s 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 help from NHS 111 if:

You’ve had an injury and:

• it’s very painful, or the pain is getting worse
• there’s a large amount of swelling or bruising, or the swelling or bruising is getting worse
• it hurts to put weight on it
• it feels very stiff or is difficult to move
• it’s not feeling any better after treating it yourself
• you also have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery – this could be an infection

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

You could also go to an urgent treatment centre.

Treatments for sprains and strains

If you need treatment for a sprain or strain you may be given self-care advice or prescribed a stronger painkiller.

You may need an X-ray, which can sometimes be done at an urgent treatment centre, 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 

Self-refer for treatment

If you have a sprain or strain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

• ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
• check your GP surgery’s website
• contact your local integrated care board (ICB) 
• search online for NHS treatment for sprains and strains near you

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:

• red or peeling skin
• blisters
• swelling
• white or charred skin

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:

• immediately get the person away from the heat source to stop the burning
• remove any clothing or jewellery that’s near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies, but do not move anything that’s stuck to the skin
• cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
• make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example, but take care not to rub it against the burnt area
• after cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand
• use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen  to treat any pain
• raise the affected area if possible – this helps to reduce swelling
• if it’s an acid or chemical burn, dial 999, carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible

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 A&E department for:

• all chemical and electrical burns
• large or deep burns – any burn bigger than the injured person’s hand
• burns that cause white or charred skin – any size
• burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints or genitals

If someone has breathed in smoke or fumes, they should also get medical attention.

Some symptoms may be delayed and can include:

• coughing
• a sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• facial burns

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:

• recovering from burns and scalds 
• complications of burns and scalds 

Types of burn

Burns are assessed by how seriously your skin is damaged and which layers of skin are affected.

Your skin has 3 layers:

• the epidermis – the outer layer of skin
• the dermis – the layer of tissue just beneath, which contains blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands and hair follicles
• the subcutaneous fat, or subcutis – the deeper layer of fat and tissue

There are 4 main types of burn, which tend to have a different appearance and different symptoms:

• superficial epidermal burn – where the epidermis is damaged; your skin will be red, slightly swollen and painful, but not blistered
• superficial dermal burn – where the epidermis and part of the dermis are damaged; your skin will be pale pink and painful, and there may be small blisters
• deep dermal or partial thickness burn – where the epidermis and the dermis are damaged; this type of burn makes your skin turn red and blotchy; your skin may be dry or moist and become swollen and blistered, and it may be very painful or painless
• full thickness burn – where all 3 layers of skin (the epidermis, dermis and subcutis) are damaged; the skin is often burnt away and the tissue underneath may appear pale or blackened, while the remaining skin will be dry and white, brown or black with no blisters. The texture of the skin may also be leathery or waxy. It may also be painless

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:

• keeping your child out of the kitchen whenever possible
• testing the temperature of bath water using your elbow before you put your baby or toddler in the bath
• keeping matches, lighters and lit candles out of young children’s sight and reach
• keeping hot drinks well away from young children

Read more about preventing burns and scalds .

Further advice

If you need advice about a burn or scald, you can:

• call 111 or get help from 111 online 
• speak to a GP

Most animal bites are not serious, but you may need to get medical help if the bite is severe or there are signs of infection.

This page is about human bites and bites from animals, such as cats and dogs, that have broken the skin. There’s a separate page about snake bites.

What to do after animal or human bites

There are some things you can do after being bitten by an animal or a person.

Do

• clean the skin around the wound with soap and warm water – you can also use antiseptic, but try not to get it in the wound
• try to remove any objects like teeth, hair or dirt from the wound using running water
• gently squeeze the wound so it bleeds slightly (unless it’s already bleeding) – this can help reduce the risk of infection
• press a dry dressing or clean cloth firmly onto the wound to stop the bleeding if it’s bleeding heavily
• after cleaning the wound, gently pat it dry and cover it with a clean dressing
• take paracetamol  or ibuprofen  to help ease any pain and swelling – children under 16 should not take aspirin

Get help from NHS 111 if:

You’ve been bitten and:

• you think there may still be objects like teeth, hair or dirt in the wound
• the bite is hot or swollen (it may also be painful, red or darker than the surrounding skin)
• you have a high temperature
• fluid is leaking from the bite
• the bite smells unpleasant
• you were bitten on your hands or feet
• you were bitten by a person

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Treatments for animal and human bites

If you’ve been bitten by an animal or person, a doctor or nurse will check the wound.

They may:

• clean the bite thoroughly – if the wound is very dirty, some of the affected area may need to be removed to reduce the risk of infection
• close the wound with stitches, sticky strips or special glue, or leave it open to heal
• give you antibiotics to stop the wound becoming infected
• check your risk of getting tetanus and rabies – you’ll be given treatment to prevent these serious infections if needed

If you’ve been bitten by a person, you may also be offered a blood test to check for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

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’s 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 getting infected.

If it’s 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

1. Check the wound and make sure there’s nothing stuck in it.
2. If there’s nothing in the wound, put pressure on it using a bandage or a clean, folded cloth (such as a tea towel) for 10 minutes.
3. If there’s something stuck in the wound, do not try to take it out. Make sure not to press down on the object. Press firmly either side of it to push the edges of the wound together.
4. If the wound is on your hand or arm, raise it above your head. If the wound is on your lower limb, lie down and raise it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce the blood flow.
5. When the bleeding has stopped, firmly wrap a new bandage over the first cloth or bandage.
6. If the wound keeps bleeding, leave the first bandage in place and add another one. Keep pressing firmly on the wound for another 10 minutes.

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.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them. Put on disposable gloves if you have some.
2. Clean the wound by rinsing it with bottled or tap water, or by using sterile wipes.
3. Clean the skin around the wound using soap and water or antiseptic – but try not to get antiseptic into the wound.
4. Pat the area dry using a gauze swab or a clean tea towel.
5. Put on a sterile dressing or a plaster.

Keep the dressing clean by changing it as often as you need. You can take it off after a few days, once the wound has closed.

Find out more

• How to apply plasters and other dressings 
• How to apply a bandage 

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• a wound has soil, pus or body fluids in it, or it’s still dirty after cleaning it
• you were bitten by a person or a wild or stray animal
• a cut is swollen, red and getting more painful or pus is coming out of it
• a cut is larger than around 5cm (2 inches)
• you’ve cut yourself and also feel generally unwell or have a high temperature

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you have a cut and cannot stop the bleeding
• the blood comes out in spurts and is bright red and hard to control
• you lose feeling near the wound or have trouble moving it
• you have a bad cut on your face or the palm of your hand
• the wound is very large or deep
• there’s something stuck in the cut, such as a shard of glass – do not try to take it out yourself

Find your nearest A&E  

Treatments for cuts and grazes

How a cut or graze is treated will depend on how bad it is and if there’s 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’s infected or there’s 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.

Norovirus (vomiting bug)

Norovirus, also called the “winter vomiting bug”, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days.

The main symptoms of norovirus are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)

You may also have:

• a high temperature
• a headache
• aching arms and legs

The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 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 2 to 3 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 2 days. This is when you’re most infectious.

Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time.

Norovirus can spread very easily.

You can catch norovirus from:

• close contact with someone with norovirus
• touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
• eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.

Get advice from 111 now if:

• you’re worried about a baby under 12 months
• your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
• a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration – such as fewer wet nappies
• you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
• you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
• you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
• you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days

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.Other ways to get help

Cold sores are common and usually clear up on their own within 10 days. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.

Check if it’s a cold sore

A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.

Over the next 48 hours one or more painful blisters will appear on your face.

Cold sores should start to heal within 10 days, but are contagious and may be irritating or painful while they heal.

Certain things may trigger a cold sore, such as illness, sunshine or being on your period. When it’s not a cold sore 

How long cold sores are contagious

Cold sores are contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on to when the cold sore has completely healed.

They can easily spread to other people and other parts of your body.

To help stop cold sores spreading:

• wash your hands with soap and water whenever you touch your cold sore
• do not kiss anyone while you have a cold sore
• do not have oral sex until your cold sore completely heals as you could give your partner genital herpes

Important

Kissing a baby if you have a cold sore can lead to neonatal herpes, which is very dangerous to newborn babies.

A pharmacist can help with cold sores

A pharmacist can recommend:

• creams to ease pain and irritation
• antiviral creams to speed up healing time
• cold sore patches to protect the skin while it heals

You can buy electronic devices from pharmacies that treat cold sores with light or lasers.

You may find these helpful, but there’s not much evidence to confirm they work.

If you regularly get cold sores, use antiviral creams as soon as you recognise the early tingling feeling. They do not always work after blisters appear.

Find a pharmacy 

Things you can do yourself to help with cold sores

There are things you can do to help ease cold sores while they heal and to avoid triggering a cold sore.

Do

• avoid anything that triggers your cold sores, such as sunbeds
• use sunblock lip balm (SPF 15 or above) if you’re outside in the sun
• take paracetamol  or ibuprofen  to ease pain and swelling (liquid paracetamol is available for children ) – do not give aspirin to children under 16
• drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

Don’t

• do not touch your cold sore (apart from applying antiviral cream) – and if you do wash your hands before and after
• do not rub cream into the cold sore – dab it on instead
• do not eat acidic or salty food if it makes your cold sore feel worse

See a GP if:

• a cold sore has not started to heal within 10 days
• you’re worried about a cold sore or think it’s something else
• the cold sore is very large or painful
• you or your child also have swollen, painful gums and sores in the mouth (gingivostomatitis)
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes

Treatment for cold sores from a GP

A GP may prescribe antiviral tablets if your cold sores are very large, painful or keep coming back.

Newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system may be referred to hospital for advice or treatment.

Why cold sores come back

Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex.

Most people are exposed to the virus when they’re children after close skin to skin contact, such as kissing, with someone who has a cold sore.

Once you have the virus, it stays in your skin for the rest of your life. Sometimes it causes a cold sore.

What You Need To Know

Ear wax is a normal body secretion, providing protection against infection and dust particles.

The ear is self-cleaning, and wax works its way out naturally.

Never use cotton wool buds to clean inside your ears, they irritate the delicate skin inside the ear canal, also pushes wax back into the ear compacting it.

Prior to having your ear irrigation you need to complete the following for a minimum of 7 nights prior to your appointment:

• Lie down with affected ear uppermost.
• Using a dropper/pipette, in-still 2-3 drops (up to 5 ml) of pharmacy grade olive oil(not from kitchen) at room temperature into the ear canal.
• Remain lying down for 5-10 minutes. It’s ideal to instill olive oil on affected ear at night then lay/sleep on unaffected ear. If putting olive oil in both ears, you may find it easier to do alternate ears on alternate nights.
• Repeat this procedure daily for at least 7 nights prior to ear irrigation appointment.

Ear Irrigation is not risk free

It will only be carried out if the ear is completely blocked with wax.

Only one ear will be treated at a time.

Irrigation is not recommended within 2 weeks of flying

Partial blockage of the ear only requires irrigation if you wear a hearing aid and/or need a special examination.

Ear Irrigation can cause damage to the ear

From infection, acute and chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears), to possible perforation of the ear drum and deafness.

If you ever had surgery to your ears or had a perforated ear drum, you must tell us before the procedure.

To minimise risk of injury, the wax must be softened with ear drops for at least 7 days. Olive oil drops are well tolerated in most people. The drops should be used twice a day.

Ear Irrigation

An electronic ear irrigator is used; it involves a pressurised flow of warm water that removes the build-up of earwax. The irrigator has variable pressure control so that irrigation can be performed at the minimum pressure. A controlled flow of warm water will be squirted into your ear canal to flush out the earwax. Ear irrigation should be a painless procedure,

Tell the person who is treating you immediately if you have any:

• Pain
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Hearing loss

Symptoms such as these may be the result of an ear infection and will need further investigation.

If ear irrigation is unsuccessful at removing earwax from your ear, we may recommend:

• Using eardrops again and returning for further irrigation.
• That you be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to remove the earwax.

Ear irrigation is not suitable for everyone and will never be done for the following reasons:

• Patient has previously experienced complications following this procedure in the past
• History of middle ear infection in the last 6-8 weeks
• Patient has undergone any form of ear surgery(apart from grommets that have extruded at least 18 months previously and it is documented subsequently that the tympanic membrane is intact) in the last 18 months
• Patient has a perforation (hole) of the eardrum
• History of a mucous discharge
• Patient has a cleft palate(repaired or not)
• There is evidence of acute otitis externa (infection of ear canal) with pain & tenderness of the pinna
• Total hearing loss in the other ear

You should not have ear irrigation if the ear to be treated is your only hearing ear. This is because there is a small chance it could cause permanent hearing loss.