Managing your infection

Self-care steps

STEP 1: How to help make yourself better

- Take paracetamol to reduce a fever. Always follow instructions.

- Ask your pharmacist for advice on reducing your symptoms.

- Get plenty of rest until you feel better.

- Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty.

- Use tissues when you sneeze to stop infections spreading.

- Wash your hands to help stop infections spreading.

STEP 2: Check how long your symptoms last

- An earache usually lasts 4 days

- A sore throat usually lasts 7 days

- A cold usually lasts 10 days

- A cough usually lasts 21 days

STEP 3: Look out for serious symptoms

If you have an infection and develop any of the symptoms below,you should be SEEN URGENTLY BE A DOCTOR. Ring your GP practice or call NHS 111, NHS DIRECT WALES or NHS 24.

- Severe headache

- Very cold skin

- Trouble breathing

- Feeling confused

- Chest pain

- Problems swallowing

- Coughing blood

- Feeling a lot worse

STEP 4:Where to get help

NHS ENGLAND

Call 111

when it's less urgent than 999

NHS DIRECT WALES

0845 46 47

NHS SCOTLAND

call them free on 111

EMERGENCY

999

Thank you guys for reading x