NHS 24 contact centres use a system developed by a team of medical advisors that includes Dr Anna Lamont, Associate Medical Director. Here Dr Lamont explains winter’s most common ailments:
COLDS
Sore throat, blocked or running nose, sneezing, cough, temperature and aching muscles, all common symptoms, but they usually clear up within a week or two.
COUGHS
Most coughs clear up within three weeks and don’t require any treatment. For persistent coughs, it’s a good idea to see your GP so they can investigate the cause. Short-term coughs are likely to be viral so you can look after yourself at home by resting and drinking fluids. If you’re experiencing breathing difficulties or your cough is particularly severe, you should also get it checked.
STOMACH UPSETS
Tummy problems can also be common at this time of year. Nausea with vomiting and/or diarrhoea usually isn’t a sign of anything serious and tends to last only a day or two.
One of the most common causes of vomiting is gastroenteritis, an infection of the gut usually caused by bacteria or a virus that normally improves within a few days. If you’ve been vomiting for more than a couple of days, are unable to keep down any fluids, or you have signs of severe dehydration such as confusion, rapid heartbeat and passing little urine, you should seek help from a GP, or NHS 24 if it’s out of hours.
Indigestion is also common at as people tend to eat and drink more than usual, so keeping a stock of stomach settlers at home is a good idea.
FLU
This is an infectious viral illness especially prevalent in winter, and can be spread by coughs and sneezes. Although not nice, you'll usually begin to feel better within about a week.
Flu is caused by a different group of viruses to a cold and the symptoms tend to start more suddenly, be more severe and last longer. They include a high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headache, aches and pains, and a cough. If you’re otherwise fit and healthy, there’s no need to see a doctor. The best remedy is rest at home, staying warm and drinking water to avoid dehydration. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease symptoms. If they get worse or haven’t improved after a week, you should seek medical help.
EARACHE
Earache is a common problem, particularly for children, and is usually caused by a minor infection that will often get better within a few days without treatment. You can use over-the-counter painkillers to treat the pain and your pharmacist will also be able to advise on the best way of treating symptoms and may be able to recommend eardrops. You should contact your GP, or NHS 24 if out of hours, if the earache doesn’t improve within a few days, something is stuck in the ear or if you or your child have symptoms such as a fever, vomiting, severe sore throat, swelling or discharge from the ear.
MINOR INJURIES
Keep plasters and bandages at home for minor scrapes, burns, cuts and bruises. If you’ve had a nasty accident and need treatment but it’s not a lifethreatening situation you can go to a minor injury unit. To find the nearest one to you anywhere in Scotland, check the Service Directory on nhsinform.scot.