Self-help

We all get minor infections like coughs, colds, earache, and sore throats from time to time but most will improve without needing any medical attention. These conditions are sometimes known as ‘upper respiratory tract infections‘.

We receive a lot of contacts from patients requesting antibiotics but in the majority of cases antibiotics are not needed as most ‘upper respiratory tract’ infections are caused by viruses rather than bacteria (antibiotics only work against bacteria) or the body’s immune system will deal with the infection itself just as quickly as antibiotics take to work.

Pharmacist advice

Your local pharmacist can also provide help for medications to help, can answer questions about minor illnesses, and help you decide if you may need to see a GP.

Severe infection or at-risk groups

Some patients have problems already with their lungs such as COPD (which was previously known as ’emphysema’), have a weakened immune system, or are at higher risk as they are pregnant or over 65. As they are at higher risk they are more likely to need antibiotics.

Only a very small number of adults and children without any underlying conditions become very unwell due to upper respiratory tracts infections but even if you are not at higher risk if you feel very unwell or have read the information above and it recommends you contact a GP then please make an appointment.

Children

Minor infections in children are very common but they can have different symptoms from adults and we need to look for different signs of serious illness if they can’t talk.

All babies under 3 months of age with a fever need assessing in an Emergency Department. This because they are especially vulnerable to infection when so young.