Sore Throats
Most sore throats are caused by a virus infection which antibiotics cannot cure. With simple treatment the patient normally gets better in four or five days. Tonsillitis usually starts with a sore throat, which causes pain on swallowing. There may be a fever, it might be possible to see white spots on the tonsils and glands in the neck may be swollen and painful. A hoarse voice, dry cough and sore throat indicates a viral laryngitis.
TREATMENTAdults: Use regular Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Drink plenty of fluids and take steam inhalations.
Children: Paracetamol liquid (Calpol or Disprol) plenty of drinks.Make an appointment to see the doctor if the sore throat is getting worse after two days, or if the patient complains of earache.
Feverish Child
Children often develop feverish illnesses, which settle spontaneously in 24-48 hours.
TREATMENT Give paracetamol (Calpol, Disprol) liquid. Remove child’s clothing and offer regular sips of cool water. Sponging with tepid water may also help to reduce the temperature. Do not give aspirin to children under 12. Make an appointment to see the doctor if the temperature does not fall after a paracetamol (although it may rise again later) or if the child becomes drowsy or obviously unwell.
Stuffy or Runny Nose
The common cold usually starts with a hot feeling in the back of the throat. The patient feels unwell and aches, and the nose starts running with a clear liquid which becomes a thick yellow discharge after three to four days.
ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT HELP.
TREATMENT
As for sore throat. Babies and young children often have repeated colds. This helps them build up their resistance to infection. They cough because of the discharge running from the nose down the back of the throat. Do not give cough linctus. Try normal saline nose drops, two drops in each nostril before bed.
Coughs
If dust or food enters the air passages, coughing acts as a protector. It also prevents mucus from causing infection on the chest. To suppress this action with cough mixtures can cause more harm than good.
TREATMENT For dry coughs a linctus can be bought from the chemist. Make an appointment to see the doctor if coughing continues for more than a week or two after a common cold has cleared up, if coughing produces a yellow or green sputum – it may mean the lower air passages are infected, if breathing is accompanied by a pain in the chest or shortness of breath, or if coughing produces blood.
VomitingVomiting may be caused by a virus infection of the stomach, food poisoning and by eating or drinking too much. It normally stops within 24 hours and may be followed by diarrhoea. Some children will vomit when they have a temperature.
TREATMENT Rest. Eat nothing for 24 hours. Drink small sips of water regularly. As the stomach settles try bread or clear soup before gradually returning to a normal diet. Children and Infants: Try Dioralyte sachets made up with cooled boiled water to replace body fluids. Make an appointment to see the doctor if vomiting is accompanied by continuous stomach pain, if vomiting lasts for longer than 24 hours, or if a vomiting child has a temperature of more than 38C (100F).
DiarrhoeaDiarrhoea is unpleasant but rarely dangerous. It may be due to change of diet, food poisoning or travel abroad. It is often accompanied by colicky (cramp-like) pains and usually begins to get better in 48 hours.
TREATMENT As for vomiting (see above). Make an appointment to see the doctor if it does not start to settle after 48 hours, if an attack comes shortly after a visit abroad, or if there is continuous pain or blood.
If you are unsure about these or any other medical matters feel free to contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.