There is a comprehenside guide to minor and major illnesses available on the NHS Direct website.
Many minor illnesses do not require the attentions of a doctor. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on over-the-counter remedies for all of the following ailments. If you are unsure about your symptoms or your illness is lasting longer than expected, feel free to make an appointment.
If you are unable to work for up to 1 week you do not need a sick note. A self certificate of sickness will suffice and your employer is legally bound to accept this. Sick notes for periods of absence of less than 1 week are not given. Some employers are loathe to accept self certification. If you have any problems regarding this ask him to contact the surgery and we will charge him for certification at the BMA rate of £114 ph for non-GMS services. This should dissuade him from pressurising you and your colleagues unfairly. We do not see why you the patient should have to pay for a private sick note because your employer is ignorant of his legal obligations.
These illnesses are almost invariably caused by virus infections and will make you feel thoroughly awful for up to 2 weeks. You will get a combination of the following : runny nose, cough, headaches, shivering, joint pains, high temperature and sore throat.
Sound's dreadful doesn't it - and there is nothing you can do to make it get better any quicker. Your virus doesnt know you are going on holiday next week, nor does it know you are getting married , having a party or meeting the Queen Mum so nothing we or you can do will make it go away any quicker.
There is no point in taking antibiotics for these illnesses. - They dont work because antibiotics fight bacteria and not viruses (the two are very different types of creatures). Moreover, antibiotics can give you thrush, stomach pains, diarrrhoea, allergic reactions and can interfere with other medications you are taking including the contraceptive pill. Children who receive multiple courses of antibiotics have been shown to have a less than effective immune system making them more prone to infections of all types. Your viral illness will pack up and go away of its own accord within a fortnight so dont confound the problem by dragging yourself into the surgery to ask for antibiotics and catch another one in the waiting room.
Your symptoms can be controlled with paracetamol-based medicines available over the counter. Paracetamol is the best drug available for lowering the temperature during a viral illness. Contrary to popular belief, antibiotics will not bring your temperature down.
Diarrhoea is especially common in babies and young children but rarely serious. The treatment is to try and keep up the clear fluid intake (water or juice). Preparations such as Rehidrat or Dioralyte can help prevent dehydration. Your pharmacist will advise you.
In adults diarrhoea and vomiting is also usually viral in origin although if you think you may have eaten something dubious, let the doctor know and he will arrange for stool samples to be sent off to check for food poisoning. As usual keep up the fluid intake. Loperamide (Imodium) acts as a sort of bung in stopping diarrhoea - if you want to take it, that's OK by us.
If diarrhoea persists or is associated with bleeding you should seek the help of a health professional
