Adult Health

Infections (Adult)

Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:

Quick Read
In-depth
Clinical level

Infections are extremely common. The good news is that the vast majority of infections are self-limiting, getting better without any specific treatment (such as antibiotics). In fact, as you will read in most of the of the linked articles on this page, antibiotics are usually not recommended in most situations and there is also the serious and important issue of antibiotic drug resistance to consider. Though not common it is worth everyone knowing what the symptoms and signs of sepsis are.

How can you decide what to do if you have an infection?

THE FOUR OPTIONS FOR DEALING WITH INFECTIONS

There are effectively 4 options to consider with any infection

  • Self-Care (without any support)
  • Self-Care (with the support of your pharmacist)
  • Assessment at your GP practice or contact 111
  • Attending an Accident and Emergency department (A&E)

The different options are based on what actions are required with different conditions. Many common infections are covered on this page. The articles from the NHS website very helpfully suggest for each infection how you can provide self-care for yourself with or without the support of your pharmacist, when you should attend your GP practice or contact 111, and when you should attend A&E (directly without going through your GP practice).

Always remember you can contact 111 if you are not sure what to do and they will be able to guide you. 

NHS 111

If you are not sure which service to attend then 111 can advise you

As the NHS suggests
NHS 111 can help if you think you need  medical help right now

ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY

There are only a few instances when you should ever need to call 999 and attend A&E for a serious infection but these are very important to know about and worth understanding in full, as they can develop even if you have seen a GP and also when you might have been given antibiotics.

USING THE NHS WEBSITE TO HELP UNDERSTAND SERIOUS SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

The articles from the NHS website, many of which are listed on this page, very helpfully suggest for each infection when you should call 999 or attend A&E (directly without going through your GP practice).

Sepsis

It is also worth understanding about sepsis as it can occur with any infection. Though not common you should always attend A&E if you think you or someone has sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection.

The NHS provide a short simple article on sepsis
Symptoms of sepsis Symptoms of sepsis – NHS

There is more detailed information under

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A PHARMACIST

The articles from the NHS website, including those on this page for many common infections, very helpfully point out for each condition how you can provide self-care for yourself with or without the support of your pharmacist. Your pharmacist can provide you with both advice and relevant over the counter medication. The range of what a pharmacist can offer is expanded on here

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONTACT 111

The articles from the NHS website, including those on this page, also include information when you should call 111 for advice

  • You have specific symptoms associated with the condition e.g., “you have white pus-filled spots on your tonsils” Tonsillitis – NHS

when should you attend your GP PRACTICE

The articles in particular from the NHS website provide clear information when you should you should see your GP practice, examples include because:

  • The condition would in most cases have expected to have improved within this timescale e.g., “you’ve had a cough for more than 3 weeks” Chest infection – NHS or “the sore throat symptoms do not go away within 4 days” Tonsillitis – NHS
  • You are in a higher risk group e.g., “you’re having chemotherapy” Chest infection – NHS
  • You have specific symptoms associated with the condition e.g.,  “you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus” Chest infection – NHS

antibiotics are not commonly prescribed

Seeing a clinician in your GP practice does not mean they will prescribe you antibiotics, but it allows any concerns to be checked out. Many of the articles, particularly those from NICE (CKS) explain the decision-making process when antibiotics should be considered by clinicians.

As an example NICE suggest for acute sinusitis
For a patient who is systemically well, has no symptoms and signs of a more serious illness or condition, and not at high risk of complications then advise that

“Acute sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and is only complicated by bacterial infection in about 2 in 100 cases. It takes 2–3 weeks to resolve, and most people will get better without antibiotics.”
For acute sinusitis from NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Scenario: Acute sinusitis | Management | Sinusitis | CKS | NICE

GP will also always try to avoid antibiotics where possible with the increase in drug resistance now apparent in the UK , though on occasions they will be prescribed. If you start a course of antibiotics, it is important you finish the course.

COMMON INFECTIONS

The articles from the NHS website very helpfully point out for each condition how you can provide self-care yourself with or without the support of your pharmacist, when you should attend your GP and when you should attend A&E (directly without going through your GP practice). Patient info provides advice on self-care for different conditions.

THROAT, MOUTH, FACE AND SINUS INFECTIONS

How can a pharmacist help and when should I see a GP?

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Common Cold

Sore throat (including tonsillitis, glandular fever and laryngitis)

Sinusitis

Cold Sores

Oral thrush

From the NHS and Patient info
As the NHS suggests “Oral thrush can be easily treated with a mouth gel bought from a pharmacy. The gel is suitable for adults”

Mumps

From the NHS and NICE
Mumps is uncommon since the MMR vaccination was introduced but if you think your child has mumps you should contact your GP.

Scarlet fever

From the NHS and NICE
Rash associated with sore throat which is treated with antibiotics

What are the symptoms and signs of a very serious infection for which you should call 999?

See under

EAR INFECTIONS

How can a pharmacist help and when should I see a GP?

As Patient info suggest
“Ear infections are usually divided into those which occur in the ear canal (otitis externa) and those which occur in the small space behind the eardrum (the middle ear). You may hear an infection of the middle ear referred to as ‘acute otitis media’.”

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Ear Infection

What are the symptoms and signs of a very serious infection for which you should call 999?

See under

CHEST INFECTIONS

How can a pharmacist help and when should I see a GP?

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Cough

Bronchitis

Chest infection

Flu

Whooping cough

From the NHS
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) – NHS

More serious conditions which may need hospital admission.
Advice when you can be treated at home and when you should ring 999 or attend A&E

From the NHS and Patient info
Pneumonia

What are the symptoms and signs of a very serious infection for which you should call 999?

See under

How can the risks of chest related infections be reduced?

Consider relevant vaccinations (particularly flu vaccination if eligible on the NHS). More information is available under

If you smoke giving up smoking can make a significant difference. There is good local support to help

Infections associated with a skin rash

Under “skin rashes caused by infection” some common or important infections which can cause a rash have been included

COMMON BOWEL INFECTIONS

How can a pharmacist help and when should I see a GP?

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Diarrhoea and vomiting

How can I prevent food poisoning?

From the Food Standards Agency
How to stay safe Food safety and hygiene | Food Standards Agency

What are the signs of significant dehydration and how is dehydration managed?

From the NHS and Patient info
Dehydration

What are the symptoms and signs of a very serious infection for which you should call 999?

See under

Infectious disease outbreaks (such as covid-19)

Information on any national infectious disease outbreaks such as Covid-19 are included under

Flu

Information on flu is included under

OVERVIEW

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Infectious illnesses

From Gov UK
Infectious diseases: detailed information Health protection: Infectious diseases – detailed information – GOV.UK

VACCINATIONS

Having the relevant vaccinations can significantly reduce the risk of getting many infections including meningitis and flu. See under

TRAVEL related INFECTIONS

When travelling abroad it is worth considering vaccinations, medicines and precautions to protect your child from infection. See under

Smoking and alcohol

If relevant to you, for some infections, stopping smoking or reducing alcohol can reduce the impact of an infection. There is good local support to help

Spotting sepsis

Having some basic knowledge of the symptoms and signs of sepsis can allow you to identify when someone is becoming seriously ill and take immediate action. This is explained under

What steps are required to help avoid antibiotic resistance?

Tackling antibiotic resistance is not only about supporting you but also future generations

There are a few questions to consider

  • What is antibiotic resistance and why is it serious?
  • When do you really need antibiotics?
  • How can you be supported if you do not have antibiotics?

Some answers to these questions can be found under

Videos and podcasts

On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering how your local pharmacy can give you support if you have a minor illness.

  • Videos And Podcasts – see section “minor illness and support from your local pharmacist.”

NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next.

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