Managing
Minor Ailments
Outline
 Coughs
and colds
 Sore throats
 Ear infections
 Vomiting and diarrhoea
 Conjunctivitis
 Eczema
Common Cold
 What
are the symptoms of
a common cold?
 How
many can you think of with the
person sitting next to you?
Common Cold
Cough
Off food
Ear ache
Sneeze
Symptom
s
Sore
throat
Runny
Nose
Blocked
Nose
Fever
Question
 How
many colds is it normal
for a child to have in one year?
A
B
C
D
None
1-2
4-5
7-10
Answer
How to treat a common cold
 Plenty
of fluids
 Rest
 Paracetamol
 Ibuprofen
 What
about antibiotics?
Antibiotics

Viruses and bacteria
What’s the difference?

Most common infections (coughs, colds, sore
throats, ear infections, vomiting, diarrhoea)
are caused by VIRUSES

Antibiotics do not work against viruses

The body’s immune system fights the infection
Antibiotics
 Antibiotics
cause side effects
(rash, vomiting, diarrhoea)
 If
we use too many antibiotics now,
they may not work in the future when we
need them
When should I get help?
 Breathing
difficulties
 Severeear pain or sore throat
(painkillers not helping)
 Drooling saliva
 Not passing urine
 Severe headache or drowsiness
 Painfulto look at bright lights
 Tiny red or pinprick spots on skin
When should I get help?
 Ear
pain for longer than 3 – 4 days
 Sore throat for longer than 7 days
 Cough and cold for longer than 10 days
 Getting
worse rather than better
Sore Throats
Ear Infections
 Inside



the ear
Often with cough, fever
Usually caused by virus
Antibiotics not always needed
 Outside


the ear
Usually itchy, sometimes painful
Drops are sometimes needed
Vomiting and
Diarrhoea
 Usually
caused by a virus
‘viral gastroenteritis’
Treatment
 Fluids
little and often
 Oral rehydration sachets
 Avoid anti-diarrhoea medicine
 Do
not starve yourself
 Avoid greasy or spicy foods
 Maintain good hygiene
 Stay off nursery / school / work for 2 days
What is normal?
When should I get help?
 Vomiting
usually better after 2 – 3 days
 Diarrhoea usually better after 5 - 7 days
(but may last up to 2 weeks)
 Passing
any blood with vomit or diarrhoea
 Possible dehydration
Conjunctivitis
 Sticky
red eye
 Sometimes itchy
 Often caused by virus
When should I get help?
 Painful
eye
 Change in vision
 Unable to look at bright lights
 You
wear contact lenses
Treatment
 Clean
eyes with cotton wool and cooled
boiled water
 Do not share towels
 Wash yourhands regularly
 Do not wear contact lenses until better
Eczema
 Very
common
 Most children grow out of it
 Dry skin
Treatment
 Moisturisers



Long term
Every day
Even when skin
good
 Steroid


Cream
Short courses only
When skin more
itchy and red
Your medicine cupboard

Painkillers / medicine for fever



Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Antihistamine


Cetirizine
Loratadine

Plasters

Thermometer
Where to get help
Online
www.nhs.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
www.patient.co.uk
Pharmacist
NHS Direct
0845 46 47
Your GP
Out of hours GP
Emergency Department
Pharmacy First
 Register
for free medicine
(if you get free prescriptions)
 Do
 Ask
not need to wait for GP
your GP reception for details
When to go to A&E
‘critical or life threatening emergency’
 Severe
injuries
 Sudden chest or tummy pain
 Breathing difficulties
 Heavy blood loss
 Head injury
 Loss of consciousness or fit
 Suspected stroke
 Overdose
Quiz – Case 1






Your 3 year old son has been miserable all day
and feels hot.
His nose is a bit runny and he’s been coughing
for the last 3-4 days.
He’s not eating much at all, but is drinking some
juice.
He’s been lying on the sofa all day watching
CBeebies.
How might you assess how unwell he is?
How might you manage this?
Quiz – Case 2






You are a 42 year old man who is normally well.
You woke last night with stomach cramps which
felt quite severe and you’ve been vomiting.
You’ve vomited 6 or 7 times and also had watery
diarrhoea about 8 times.
You feel sick most of the time, but are trying to
drink.
What symptoms would you be worried about?
What should you do?
Quiz – Case 3








Your 4 month old baby has seemed unwell for the
last 12 hours
She’s not been taking her milk (you think only
about 6 or 7 oz in total).
She keeps crying, feels hotand vomited once.
No one else at home is unwell.
You’ve given her some paracetomol, but it’s
made no difference.
It’s now 9pm and you’re worried.
What are your thoughts?
What are you going to do?
Quiz – Case 4




Your 6 year old has woken this morning and is
complaining that his left ear hurts.
He has a temperature of 37.6.
Over the last few days he’s had a bit of a runny
nose.
What are you going to do?
Any Questions?
Feedback
 What
did you find useful ?
 What might you do differently now ?
 Anything else you’d like to learn about ?
A Brief Guide to Teenagers
 Changes
during the teenage years
 Sexual Health
 Drugs and alcohol
 Accidents
Sexual Health
 Sexual
orientation
 Safe sex


Pregnancy
Infections
Drugs and Alcohol
 Drug
use not always long term problem
 How will you talk to your child?
 Know the drugs
 Know the signs
 Further
information
 Talk to Frank
 www.talktofrank.com
Accidents
 Around

Bathroom
 Outside




the house
the home
Cycling
Walking
Roads
Water