Dolphin House Surgery
6-7 East Street, Ware, Herts. SG12 9HJ
Tel: 01920 468777
Fax: 01920 484892
www.dolphinhousesurgery.co.uk
Patient Antibiotic Leaflet
Dolphin House Surgery has an antibiotic policy in place to protect you and your family from
unnecessary use of antibiotics. Too much use of antibiotics can cause side effects some of
which can be dangerous and as time goes on we are finding antibiotics are less affective due
to their overuse. We need to act now to protect future generations so that antibiotics
continue to work when we really need them.
We are basing our policies on best practice from modern medical research and from
guidelines drawn up by respected medical committees. We have developed policies around
five common illnesses often seen during winter and have explained the policy for each. As
part of individualised care, some patients may be ill enough for the doctor or nurse to use
their professional judgement and work outside the guidelines.
Ear Infections
These are nearly always viral and will only need paracetamol and/or ibuprofen to ease
symptoms. As most cases heal themselves after 3 days, as is done in Scandinavia, we will
not be advising antibiotics below 3 days or if the ear infection is resolving. We may need to if
symptoms persists in the under 2s, those where both ears are affected or where there is
discharge.
Sore Throats and Tonsillitis
Again these are likely to be viral particularly if there is also a slight cough. We will only
prescribe antibiotics if the ‘Centor Criteria’ are met. This means the tonsils are pusy, there is
a high fever and there are enlarged glands in the neck. Otherwise we can expect simple
remedies to work. Zinc taken daily has also been shown to hasten healing of sore throats
and tonsillitis. We will send for blood testing if Glandular Fever is suspected and give
antibiotics where a patient is at risk of Quinsy (tonsil abscess).
Common Colds
There is no evidence at all that runny noses, even pusy ones, respond to antibiotics. We will
not be recommending them.
Sinusitis
Medical research shows that steam inhalations up to three times a day alongside
Xylometazoline nose drops is the most effective way to drain and deal with a sinus infection.
Exceptions may be where there is pronounced dental pain. We will not routinely offer
antibiotics unless patients have tried these simple measures first. If there is dental pain, a
known history of sinus problems or a child has orbital symptoms we may need to give
antibiotics.
Coughs
Usually coughs require no antibiotics particularly if you remain up and about. It can be
normal for young children to have up to 10 coughs a year! Simple viral coughs can last 4
weeks. If you are very unwell and may have pneumonia or have chronic lung disease you
are likely to need antibiotics. We will follow national pneumonia guidelines in order to assess
you and determine the best treatment for you. Children with wet coughs for several weeks or
with a whoop,chest pains,headaches or profound lethargy may also need antibiotics.
Otherwise simple home made linctus, paracetamol and extra fluids is all that is required.
Please feel free to ask your health care professional about these policies.
Dr M. Baverstock, Dr D. Maddams, Dr J. Watson, Dr M. Davies,
Dr R. Morgan, Dr F. O’Reilly, Mrs J. O’Brien (Managing Partner)