General medical advice and information may also be obtained by calling NHS Direct (Telephone 0845 46 47).

Chickenpox
The rash usually appears on the first day of the illness. It begins as small red patches scattered on the body, and within a few hours a small blister will appear in the centre of each patch. As the rash develops over the next few days it will spread to the limbs, head and neck. It may also involve the mouth and back of the throat causing pain on eating and swallowing.
Chickenpox has an incubation period of two to three weeks and is infective until the spots have cleared (usually 10 days).
As with all viral infections there is no cure and antibiotics do not help. Calpol will help with the temperature and calamine and cool bathing or sponging will help with the irritation.

Children With Temperatures
Small children often have quite high temperatures with even minor illness such as colds and other viral infections. This is part of the normal development of natural immunity. It does not necessarily indicate serious illness.
To help reduce the temperature, undress the child down to underwear. Give plenty of cool drinks. Sponge head and limbs with a cool flannel; if the child is fretful give paracetamol (eg Calpol). Do not give aspirin to children. Do not worry if the child does not eat for a few days, but do encourage fluids. If the child is very drowsy or has a stiff neck contact your doctor for advice at once.

Colds/Flu (Adults)
There is no cure. Given time they always go away. Antibiotics will not help. If nothing is coughed up it is because the chest is not infected. No treatment is required to “bring it up”.
Go to bed if feverish, keep your nose clear by blowing it often and inhaling steam and/or Friar’s Balsam, Karvol etc. Suck soothing throat sweets and take frequent drinks. Paracetamol or aspirin will help your temperature.
Unless you become breathless or wheezy or bring up green phlegm it is not necessary to see your doctor.

Coughs
Dry coughs usually cure themselves and can be eased by medicine from the chemist. Children with colds often cough at night and this may be eased by propping them up with a pillow.
Decongestant measures may help.

Cystitis – Urine Infection
Common symptoms include: - passing urine frequently, burning and stinging on passing urine, pain in the back, passing blood, fever.
Drink as much water as possible. Take some bicarbonate of soda – one teaspoonful in a pint of water every three hours. Take mild painkillers. If symptoms do not settle quickly telephone your doctor for advice.

Earache
This is almost always caused by a viral infection, commonly occurring with a cold. Most cases will get better without treatment within 48 hours, paracetamol giving pain relief. Sitting up will often relieve symptoms. If pain persists beyond 48 hours arrange to see a doctor.

Shingles
This is caused by the chickenpox virus – you can’t catch shingles from chickenpox, but you can catch chickenpox from shingles. You will only develop shingles if you have had chickenpox in the past. It presents as a painful rash. Occasionally the pain may be present for some time before the spots appear. The rash is confined to one side of the body only to appear virtually anywhere on the body.
It starts as small red blotches which soon become blistery. The blisters are often much larger than those of chickenpox but follows the same progression to crusts. This might take much longer – after two to three weeks. Treatment is helpful only if started very early.
If the eye is affected a doctor should always be consulted as soon as possible.

Sickness And Diarrhoea
This is common, especially after holiday and in children during the winter. Many cases are due to viral infections and may be associated with colds. Most people recover after a few days.

It is best not to take medicines to stop diarrhoea as this may prolong the illness and slow the clearing of the virus. Dioralyte or a similar electrolyte solution can be obtained from the chemist without prescription. Drink plenty of this - at least enough to replace what is being lost – in place of all food and drink. Wash your hands carefully after using the toilet.
Come and see your doctor if not recovered after four or five days, or if symptoms recur after treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have recently travelled abroad. 

If your job involves handling unwrapped food you must stop work until you have recovered. Discuss with your employer or a doctor before returning to work.

Babies and very small children may become dehydrated and may need medical advice earlier.

Thrush
This is a common condition and may be present in babies in the nappy region as a rash often with white curd-like plaques on the skin. This may also appear in the mouth. It is common in adult women in the form of whitish vaginal discharge and irritation. Thrush is more common after antibiotics, in diabetics, those taking the oral contraceptive pill and in pregnancy. Treatment may be obtained either from the chemist or from your doctor. Standard treatments are now available without prescription.

Back Pain
This is extremely common and may be severe. Most attacks of severe back pain recover with painkillers and a period of rest and local heat. If this is a new symptom and lasts more than a few days without responding to the above measures it is wise to consult your doctor.

Burns
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose dry dressing.
If the burn is larger than four inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, you should see a doctor the same day. The nearest casualty departments are at Wexham Park Hospital (Tel: 01753 633000) or Wycombe General Hospital (Tel: 01494 526161).

Hayfever
This is an allergy causing irritation of the nose, eyes and/or throat. It may be associated with seasonal asthma, or eczema. The symptoms may be controlled by antihistamine tablets or syrup, eye drops and nasal sprays. These may be obtained over the counter from the chemist or from the surgery on prescription.
If you have regular prescriptions for hayfever it is not necessary to see the doctor each year to ask for a new prescription, once you have a repeat prescription slip.

Head Lice
Contact the health visitor or school nurse for advice on the current treatment of head lice. These insects are very common and their presence does not mean your child is dirty.

Insect Bites/Stings
These can be unpleasant but fortunately are rarely serious.
Cool the affected part immediately with cold water or ice. Repeat as often as required. Antihistamine tablets are available from the chemist, cheaply, without prescription and will relieve local itching and swelling.

Nosebleeds
Squeeze the soft part of the nose immediately below the bony bridge, and hold even pressure for at least 10 minutes by the clock. Do not rub or blow the nose for at least 12 hours and try not to drink or eat anything hot for 24 hours. Most nosebleeds will stop after this treatment – persistent ones may need packing at Wycombe General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department
(Tel: 01494 526161) or Wexham Park Hospital Accident and Emergency Department
(Tel: 01753 633000).

Small Cuts and Grazes
Wash well with soap and water. If bleeding, press firmly with a clean handkerchief or dressing for five minutes. Bleeding usually stops with pressure applied long enough. Cover with a clean dry dressing. Deep or gaping cuts may need stitching. Advice is available from us regarding appropriate action.

Sprains
Initially apply a cold compress, eg a packet of frozen peas, for 10-15 minutes. This reduces bruising, pain and swelling.
Firm bandaging should be applied with a clean crepe bandage and supported for at least a week. Gentle movements should be started as soon as possible but no active sport until fully recovered.

Sunburn
Treat sunburn by cooling the affected skin with water and repeat frequently. Pain and discomfort may be relieved with Calpol and sunburn cream available from any chemist. Frequent drinks should be encouraged.
Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancers.

Threadworms
These look like small pieces of white cotton thread in the stools or motions after going to the toilet to open the bowels. They are not important and rarely cause problems. Some children may complain of itchy bottoms – however, there are many other causes for this. Serious problems are very rare.
Avoid re-infection (hand to mouth) and spreading to others by careful hand-washing after the lavatory, and keeping fingernails short and well scrubbed.
Treatment is available over the counter from the chemist and should be given to all members of the family.

Toothache
If you have toothache you should consult your dentist. Doctors are not equipped to manage dental problems. You should ask your dentist how to contact him in an emergency.

Verrucae
Treatment is rarely necessary. They are caused by viruses and will eventually disappear without treatment, although this may take a year or two.

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