Tell me what I should do when I experience these symptoms?

Help and advice on some of the most common symptoms below:

I have a bad cold / flu

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

  • A sudden high temperature
  • An aching body
  • Feeling tired or exhausted
  • A dry cough
  • A sore throat
  • A headache
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhoea or tummy pain
  • Feeling sick and being sick

The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.

If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly.

Do:

  • Rest and sleep
  • Keep warm
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies find your nearest pharmacy here: Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it’s easy to take more than the recommended dose.

For more information, visit: Flu – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I think I have a vomiting bug (Norovirus) 

Norovirus, also called the “winter vomiting bug”, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days.

The main symptoms of norovirus are:

  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • diarrhoea
  • being sick (vomiting)

You may also have:

  • a high temperature
  • a headache
  • aching arms and legs

The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days of being infected.

How to treat norovirus yourself

  • You can usually treat yourself or your child at home.
  • The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
  • You will usually start to feel better in 2 to 3 days.

Find out how to treat diarrhoea and vomiting in children and adults.

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I think my child has whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be serious. It’s important for babies, children and anyone who’s pregnant to get vaccinated against it.

Check if you or your child has whooping cough

The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat (a high temperature is uncommon).

  • After about a week, you or your child:
  • will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night
  • may make a “whoop” sound – a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not “whoop”)
  • may have difficulty breathing after a coughing bout and may turn blue or grey (young infants)
  • may bring up a thick mucus, which can make you vomit
  • may become very red in the face (more common in adults)
  • The cough may last for several weeks or months.

For more information visit: Whooping cough – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I have a sore throat

Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.

How you can treat a sore throat yourself:

  • Gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat cool or soft foods
  • Avoid smoking or smoky places
  • Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
  • Rest

More information at: Sore throat – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I have earache

Earache and ear pain is common, particularly in young children. It can be painful, but is not usually a sign of anything serious.

How long do earache lasts? It depends on what’s causing it. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually start to improve after a few days.

Spotting earache in babies and young children. A young child might have earache if they:

  • Rub or pull their ear
  • Do not react to some sounds
  • Have a temperature of 38C or above
  • Are irritable or restless
  • Are off their food
  • Keep losing their balance

Earache and ear pain can affect one or both ears.

How to treat earache yourself:

  • Use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
  • Place a warm or cold flannel on the ear

More information at: Earache – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I have toothache

See a dentist if you have toothache that:

  • Lasts more than 2 days
  • Does not go away when you take painkillers
  • Comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, or a bad taste in your mouth
  • If your cheek or jaw is swollen

Do not go to your GP as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

How to ease toothache while waiting for an appointment:

  • Take painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin) – a pharmacist can advise you
  • Try rinsing your mouth with salt water (children should not try this)
  • Use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth – this can be bought from pharmacies or supermarkets
  • Eat soft foods, like yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and try to avoid chewing with the sore tooth

For more information visit: Toothache – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I think I have a a respiratory virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.

Symptoms of an RSV infection

Symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected.

Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:

  • a runny or blocked nose
  • a cough
  • sneezing
  • tiredness
  • a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)

Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.

If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:

  • a cough that gets worse
  • shortness of breath
  • faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
  • difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
  • noisy breathing (wheezing)
  • confusion (in older adults)

For more information, visit: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I think I have a respiratory infection (RTIs)

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see a GP.

Symptoms of an RTI include:

  • A cough – you may bring up mucus (phlegm)
  • Sneezing
  • A stuffy or runny nose
  • A sore throat
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing
  • A high temperature
  • Feeling generally unwell

Most RTIs pass within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually treat your symptoms at home.

Do:

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink lots of water to loosen any mucus and make it easier to cough up
  • Drink a hot lemon and honey drink to help soothe a cough (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)
  • Gargle with warm salty water if you have a sore throat (children should not try this)
  • Raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
  • Use painkillers to bring down a fever and help ease a sore throat, headaches and muscle pain

For more information, visit: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I think I have a chest infection

A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or large airways. Some chest infections are mild and clear up on their own, but others can be severe and life threatening.

Check if you have a chest infection – chest infections often follow colds or flu.

The main symptoms are:

  • a chesty cough – you may cough up green or yellow mucus
  • wheezing and shortness of breath
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • a high temperature
  • a headache
  • aching muscles
  • tiredness

These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days.

The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks.

If you have a chest infection, there are things you can do to ease the symptoms.

Do:

  • get plenty of rest
  • drink lots of water to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up
  • raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
  • use painkillers to bring down a high temperature and ease headaches and muscle pain
  • drink a hot lemon and honey drink to relieve a sore throat

For more information, visit: Chest infection – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

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I’m feeling low

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.

SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter.

Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter.

Symptoms of SAD can include:

  • a persistent low mood
  • a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
  • irritability
  • feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
  • feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
  • sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
  • craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
  • difficulty concentrating
  • decreased sex drive

For some people, these symptoms can be severe and have a significant impact on their day-to-day activities.

Treatments for SAD

A range of treatments are available for SAD. The GP will recommend the most suitable treatment programme for you.

The main treatments are:


For more local support please visit: Home :: steps2change Lincolnshire (lincolnshiretalkingtherapies.nhs.uk).

A-Z Health Guide

Visit the NHS A to Z Health Guide – Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help. Health A to Z – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

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