Newport Pagnell Medical Centre
Feeling Unwell?
Minor Illness – a guide for adults
NEWPORT PAGNELL MEDICAL CENTRE
Queens Avenue, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8QT
Tel: 01908 611767 Fax: 01908 615099
Email: mail.npmc@mkpct.nhs.uk
Website: www.npmc.nhs.uk
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014
Everyone experiences common illnesses like coughs, colds, fever or headaches from time
to time
You do not need a prescription for symptoms of common illnesses as they are rarely serious. Treating these illnesses
yourself or with advice and medicines from your local pharmacy can often be the easiest and quickest way to help you
back to health. A range of minor complaints can be treated simply with a well stocked medicine cabinet, which should
be kept securely out of children’s reach.
Did you know your pharmacists can advise you on a range of minor illnesses and appropriate medicines? If your
problem is more serious and needs further attention, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to make an
appointment to see your GP.
Symptoms
What can you Do?
What to look out for?
Colds and
Coughs
Runny or blocked nose, sneezing,
sore throat, cough, headache, mild
fever, tiredness, aches and pains.
If the cough persists
longer than 3 weeks, you
become breathless or are
coughing up infected
(yellow/greenish/
brown/blood stained)
sputum then seek
medical advice.
Sore Throat
Pain or soreness in the throat,
especially on swallowing, hoarse
voice, feeling unwell, tired with a
mild fever.
Increase the amount of fluid you
normally drink. If you have a fever, pain
or discomfort then take paracetamol or
ibuprofen, according to the instructions
on the packet. Nose drops from the
pharmacy or rub-on decongestant may
help you breathe more easily. A cough
is nature’s way of clearing air passages.
Get plenty of rest and eat healthily as a
low fat, high fibre diet is recommended
including fresh fruit and vegetables. If
you are pregnant paracetamol, not
ibuprofen, should be taken for the shortterm relief of pain or fever.
Virus infections are the cause of most
sore throats so antibiotics will have no
effect in these cases. Simple painkillers,
such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be
an effective was of alleviating any pain
or discomfort. Drink plenty of cold fluids
and eat cool soft food. Regularly gargle
with a mouthwash of warm, salty water
to reduce any swelling or pain.
High
Temperature
A high temperature or fever is 37.5c
or higher and is a symptom of many
common illnesses. A fever helps
the body to fight infections by
stimulating the immune system.
Simple painkillers, such as paracetamol
or ibuprofen can be an effective way of
bringing down your temperature. Ensure
you drink plenty of cold fluids. Keep the
room cool, 18C or 65F, and open a
window if necessary.
Headache
Headaches are one of the most
common health complaints but
easily treated. Tension headaches
feel like a dull ache with constant
pressure around the front, top and
sides of the hear, often caused by
stress, lack of sleep, dehydration,
skipping meals, depression and
even using the computer for too
long. Some headaches are a side
effect of taking a particular
medication or if you have had a
cold, sinusitis, flu or an allergic
reaction. Frequent headaches can
be caused by taking too many
painkillers or in women due to the
pill, pregnancy and the menopause.
Most headaches are not serious and can
be treated with painkillers such as
paracetamol or ibuprofen but always
check the instructions for the right dose.
Try to get more rest, drink more fluids
(avoid alcohol) and eat healthily.
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
If the sore throat
continues for more than 2
weeks, there is a high
temperature lasting
several days which is not
reduced by medical or
you have difficulty
swallowing liquids
together with neck pain
seek medical advice.
If the temperature gets
worse despite attempts to
bring it down if the fever
is accompanied by
confusion, drowsiness or
breathing difficulties then
seek medical advice
If your headaches persist,
they are so painful you
cannot get on with your
life and cause you to miss
work, or if you experience
nausea, neck stiffness
and visual disturbance
then seek medical advice.
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014
Cold Sores
Tiredness
Diarrhoea &
Vomiting
Constipation
Hay Fever &
Allergies
Symptoms
What can you Do?
Cold sores are small blisters that
appear on the lips or around the
mouth caused by the herpes
simplex virus. They are highly
contagious and can be easily
passed from person to person by
close direct contact. A cold sore
normally starts as a tingling or
burning sensation which develops
into an itchy red lump and within 24
hrs appears as a fluid-filled blister.
Tiredness is one of the most
common complaints which affect
many people. There is more chance
of a medical reason for tiredness if
there are other symptoms
accompanying the tiredness. Being
overweight or underweight can
cause tiredness. The worries and
strains of every day life could be the
cause together with disturbed
sleep, different work patterns,
looking after children or elderly
relatives, depression or anxiety and
life-changing event.
It is a common problem that can
affect you from time to time.
Diarrhoea is caused through a
bowel infection by coming into
contact with someone who is
infected or from food. This will
usually cause one or more of three
symptoms, vomiting, diarrhoea and
stomach pains. If you are
otherwise well it is likely the
diarrhoea and vomiting will get
better on its own within 24 hrs.
Faeces (stools or motions) become
hard and difficult or painful to pass.
Motions are passed less often or
there is a change from your usual
bowel habits. Could also be
accompanied by feeling bloated or
sick.
Sneezing, runny nose, sore or
watery eyes, itchy throat and skin
rashes are very common. Hay
fever and allergies occur when you
come into contact with a substance
your body is unusually sensitive to,
such as pollen in the air. Allergies
can be caused by any substances
from specific foods to animal fur.
They usually clear up by themselves,
without treatment within 7-10 days.
There are antiviral creams available from
your pharmacy and these will help ease
your symptoms and speed up the
healing time. There are also cold sore
patches available to place over the area
while it heals.
What to look out for:
Avoid close contact with
anyone if you have
unhealed cold sores so
you do not pass on the
virus. If the cold sores
have not healed after 710 days then seek
medical advice.
Think about what makes you tired and
how you can change things. Tiredness
can often be attributed to lifestyle factors
so try to eat healthily, drink less alcohol,
cut out caffeine and drink more water, go
for a brisk walk in the fresh air, get
enough sleep and share you worries
with family and friends.
It may be common to feel
tired all the time but it
should not be normal. If
after making some
changes you still feel the
same, seek medical
advice to check there is
nothing more seriously
wrong.
The fluids lost need to be replaced.
Avoid eating solid foods and drink as
much fluid or oral rehydration fluid as
you can take. Do not drink cow’s milk
but soups and sugary drinks will help
replace sugar and salt loss.
If there is blood of mucus
in your stools, there is
severe stomach pain or
the diarrhoea continues
for several days; also if
vomiting persists or has
blood in it then seek
medical advice.
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids; eat
a mixed diet which includes lots of fibre,
fruit and vegetables. Most cases will
resolve in time or seek advice from your
pharmacist.
If there is no improvement
or no bowel movement
after 7 days, there is
bleeding in the stools or
from the back passage
(anus) then seek medical
advice.
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
What to look out for?
Try to identify what you are allergic to
and avoid it but sometimes this is not
always possible. For hay fever there are
a variety of remedies available from your
pharmacist. For all allergies take
antihistamines on the advice of your
pharmacist.
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014
Symptoms
What can you Do?
What to look out for?
Stings and
Bites
Within the UK common insects that
may sting or bite include wasps,
bees, mites, ants, fleas and
mosquitoes. The skin may turn
pink, red or mottled and there could
be a painful blister.
Most cases of bites or stings can be
treated at home and will get better
without any treatment. However, extra
relief can be provided by cleaning the
area and then applying local anaesthetic
or antihistamine cream. If you are stung
by a wasp or bee then remove the sting
as quickly as possible using tweezers
before applying the cream or ointment.
Burns and
Scalds
Burns are caused by dry heat, such
as hot objects or the sun. Scalds
are caused by hot liquid and steam.
The skin may be painful and look
pink, red mottled together with
blisters.
Athlete’s
Foot
Athlete’s foot is a common
condition caused by a fungal
infection. An itchy red rash
develops in the spaces between
your toes. The skin in the affected
area may also be flaky, scaly, dry
and cracked. It can also spread to
the toenails.
Mouth
Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are painful round or
oval sores that form in the mouth,
often on the inside of the cheeks.
They occur for a wide range of
reasons including being ill, stress,
bacterial or fungal infection and
friction due to dentures. Although
mouth ulcers can be uncomfortable,
especially when you eat, drink or
brush your teeth, they are
harmless. Mouth ulcers cannot be
passed form person to person.
Thrush is one of the most common
forms of vaginal or penis infection
caused by a fungus or yeast. There
is soreness, redness, itching and
inflammation accompanied by a
smelly discharge or odour.
The burn or scald should be cooled as
quickly as possible. Run it under cold
water for at least 10 minutes and then
cover the area with a sterile dressing. If
you don’t have any dressings then cover
with a clean plastic bag or cling-film. Do
not touch the area or break any blisters.
Antifungal medication kills the fungi that
cause the infection. This is available
from your pharmacy in the form of
creams, sprays, liquids and powders.
To help treat and prevent athlete’s foot;
wash your feet regularly using soap and
water, dry them thoroughly particularly
between your toes, wear clean cotton
socks, keep your feet dry and do not
share towels.
They usually get better by themselves
without treatment but it can take up to 2
weeks. Treatments in the form of a
paste, gel or mouth wash generally
numb the pain which can be obtained
from your pharmacy.
Allergy to wasp and bee
stings can cause a severe
reaction or even
anaphylactic shock. The
symptoms can vary
including narrowing of
airways leading to
breathing difficulties,
wheezing, swelling
around the eyes, lips,
hands and feet together
with sore itchy eyes. If
these symptoms occur
seek medical help
immediately.
If the burn or scald covers
a large area or the
damage is deep into the
skin then seek urgent
medical advice.
Vaginal
Thrush and
Sore Penis
Cystitis
Cystitis is inflammation of the
bladder, commonly caused by a
bacterial infection. There is a sharp
pain or stinging sensation when
passing urine together with an
urgent and frequent need to pass
urine. Urine may be dark and
cloudy and could include blood.
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
Avoid bubble bath, shower gels and
perfumed soaps and try not to use
biological washing powders. Use a mild
soap and warm water to gently wash
around the affected area. It can be
treated using various creams and tablets
available from your pharmacy which
should give relief within 7 days.
Drink plenty of fluid including water and
cranberry juice. Take painkiller such as
paracetamol or ibuprofen. Mild cystitis
usually clears up within 4-9 days.
If the infection does not
go away after several
weeks of treatment
advised by the
pharmacist hen seek
medical advice.
If the ulcer gets worse or
larger than 1cm or lasts
for longer than 3-4 weeks
seek medical advice.
If symptoms do not
improve and there are
ulcers or blisters,
abdominal pain or fever
then seek medical advice.
If symptoms do not
improve and are
accompanied by
abdominal or back pain
and fever then seek
medical advice.
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014
Symptoms
Meningitis
Meningitis means swelling of the
lining around the brain and spinal
cord. It can be hard to recognise at
first. Symptoms can appear in any
order but the first symptoms are
usually fever, vomiting, headache
and feeling unwell, just like many
mild illnesses.
Further symptoms include:
 Severe headache
 Stiff neck (less common in
young children).
 Dislike of bright lights (less
common in young children)
 Very sleepy, vacant or difficult
to wake
 Confused or delirious
 Seizures
 Rash (anywhere on the body
but not present in all cases).
What can you Do?
What to look out for?
The glass test
You can check a rash to see if it is
septicaemia by carrying out the glass
test. If the rash fades and loses colour
under pressure it is not a meningitis
rash.
If the spots DO NOT change colour,
you should seek medical help
immediately.
Meningitis is NOT a
minor illness.
Trust your instincts – if you
suspect you may have
some of the signs and
symptoms act fast and
seek medical advice
immediately.
Babies and toddlers may also:
 Refuse to feed or eat
 Not want to be held or touched
 Be very irritable
 Have a stiff body with jerky
movements, or floppy, unable
to stand up
 Have a tense or bulging soft
spot (fontanelle) on the top of
the head.
First Aid Kit
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
It would be ideal to have your own first
aid kit at home which contains
everything you may need in an
emergency. Basic items would include
plasters, sterile dressings, cotton wool,
adhesive tape, antiseptic liquid or
cream, pain relief, scissors, tweezers
and disposable gloves. Speak to your
local pharmacist who will advise on the
contents of your medicine cupboard
and first aid kit so they are fully
equipped.
Be aware of the signs
and symptoms of serious
illness.
Be prepared on how to
cope if an accident
happens.
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014
USEFUL NUMBERS & WEBSITES
NPMC Surgery
01908 611767
NPMC Appointments
01908 617111
NHS
111
Milton Keynes Hospital
01908 660033
Northampton Hospital
01604 634700
Bedford Hospital
01234 355122
Boots the Chemist
01908 611161
Jardines Pharmacy
01908 610583
Aston’s Chemists
01908 618017
NHS Choices:
National Pharmacy Association
Consumer Health Information Centre
Self Care Forum
Meningitis Trust
www.nhs.uk
www.askyourpharmacist.co.uk
www.chic.org.uk
www.selfcareforum.org
www.meningitis-trust.org
NEWPORT PAGNELL MEDICAL CENTRE, Queens Avenue, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8QT, Tel: 01908 611767,
Fax: 01908 615099
Email: mail.npmc@mkpct.nhs.uk Website: www.npmc.nhs.uk
Minor illness leaflet for patients April 2013.doc
April 203
Author: A Faulkes
Review date May 2014