Back Ache
Burns and Scalds
Coughs, Colds & Stuffy Noses
Cystitis
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Flu-like Illnesses
Head Lice
Insect Bites and Stings
Minor Cuts and Grazes
Minor Injuries
Nose Bleeds
Raised Temperatures
Sore Throats
Strains and Sprains

Child Infections

Chicken Pox
German Measles (Rubella)
Measles
Mumps
 

Back Ache
Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year! The spine, being made up of 24 fragile bones and associated cartilage and tendons, is a complex structure that supports the whole weight of the upper body. It is therefore not surprising that it sometimes goes wrong particularly if it has been subject to abuse or misuse.

If, as is usually the case, the pain has been caused by abuse, i.e. lifting too heavy weights or awkward shapes etc., be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of your back. If lifting, take care to adopt a safe lifting technique - always bend your knees and keep your back straight. Rest your back on a firm bed and maintain good posture when walking.

Rest as much as possible and take aspirin or paracetamol, which will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve any inflammation.

If this treatment is insufficient and the pain persists then you should contact your doctor 

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Burns and Scalds
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 affected area is large then you should see your doctor or attend casualty as soon as possible.

Coughs, Colds & Stuffy Noses
Coughs, Colds and Stuffy Noses are caused by viruses and, even in these days of advanced medical knowledge,
there is no magical cure. Antibiotics are of no use since they only kill bacteria that are completely different organisms. Paracetamol or aspirin will help relieve headache, sore throats and aching muscles as well as controlling the temperature. The illness and general 'under the weather' feeling may last 5-6 days but a cough may persist for longer.

Cystitis
Cystitis is very common in women. It causes a burning sensation on passing urine. Drink plenty of fluids and if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours you should contact your nurse.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting
In adults and children, diarrhoea and vomiting are common. The condition is usually caused by a virus infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. The best solution to ease the symptoms is to prevent dehydration by replacing lost fluids whilst resting the digestive system as much as possible. Clear liquids are the kindest on the stomach, water or squash is usually adequate but you can buy a number of special sachet powders over the counter from local chemists that mix up to a pleasant flavoured drink (e.g. Electrolade, Rehydrat and Dioralyte). These can be useful when treating young children.

Vomiting usually settles within 24 hours, although diarrhoea may linger for longer. There may also be instances of cramping abdominal pain associated with the episodes of diarrhoea as the infection is passed through the gut.

Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs special care and attention.

When should you consult your Doctor?

- If the abdominal pain is severe.
- If there is blood in the diarrhoea.
- If the diarrhoea persists after 6 days.
- Children under the age of 1 year are affected where the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or the child looks very ill.
- If children above the age of 1 year are affected for more than 24 hours where the diarrhoea is accompanied by vomiting or weakness.
- If the illness could have been contracted whilst abroad.

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Flu-like Illnesses
Flu-like illnesses are similar to heavy colds but are also usually associated with additional symptoms such as shivers and aches and pains, often involving the head, neck and back muscles. Treatment is similar to coughs and colds. Take plenty of cool drinks, avoid excessive clothes or bedclothes and take plenty of rest.

When should you consult your Doctor?

- If a cough persists for more than two weeks.
- If a cough is becoming increasingly more chesty, with large amounts of dirty yellow/green or bloodstained sputum.
- If you feel breathless and/or develop chest pains.
- If other factors make you unduly worried - particularly if the patient is elderly or infirm where other complications are possible. For these groups of patients a yearly vaccination is strongly advised. (See Vaccination & Immunisation)

Head Lice
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are therefore not a sign of poor personal hygiene. They are a common and recurrent problem, especially amongst school children, but are easily treated. Medicated head lotion treatment can be obtained from the local chemist without prescription.

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Insect Bites and Stings
Most of these need no special treatment other than sympathy! Sometimes an antihistamine tablet taken for a few days will relieve the discomfort. These can be obtained from the local chemist without prescription.

Note: bee stings should be scraped away rather than 'plucked' in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

A small number of people however are highly allergic to some insects, e.g. wasp stings. If you feel you are in this category then you should see your doctor to discuss the supply of an emergency adrenaline injection.

Minor Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop any bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about 5 minutes then cover with a clean dry dressing.

Minor Injuries
If you suffer a minor injury such as cuts, burns, scalds, sprains, strains, minor head injuries, allergic reactions.

Please remember we are here to help you. We have highly trained nurses who can assess and treat many of these conditions. This will save you time and the local health service money. Accident and Emergency attendances are very expensive and for minor injuries we can provide the same service more quickly and save this money locally.

If in doubt, call us and we will help you

Nose Bleeds
Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch the lower part of your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes. This usually settles the bleed although the procedure may need to be repeated several times in some severe cases. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours.

If the symptoms persist with recurring nose bleeds, you should consult your doctor. If the bleeding is particularly heavy, or has not settled after 30 minutes, it is best to visit the nearest Accident and Emergency department. The nearest one to the surgery is at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

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Raised Temperatures
A raised temperature occurs even with mild infections, and can be especially high in young children. It is important to control and limit this rise. A hot child should have all outer clothing removed to allow heat to escape. If the temperature remains high underclothing should also be removed and the child gently sponged with tepid water.

Paracetamol and cool drinks are also useful in reducing the body temperature. NEVER wrap up a child with a high temperature. If the temperature does not come down with the above treatment, or the child appears especially unwell, you should contact your doctor.

An adult or child is unlikely to come to any harm by being brought by car or pram to the surgery as long as the child is not over-wrapped for the journey. Exposure to the cooler outside air will assist in bringing the temperature down.

Sore Throats
Most sore throats are caused by a virus infection that antibiotics cannot cure. With simple treatment however the patient normally gets better within four or five days. The treatment consists of aspirin or paracetamol every four hours to relieve the pain and temperature. It is probably best given in soluble form so that the patient can gargle before swallowing.

Aspirin is NOT recommended for children under the age of 16 years and they should use only paracetamol in the recommended doses. The patient should drink plenty of fluids and be encouraged to rest as much as possible.

When should you consult your Doctor?

- If the sore throat has not improved after two days.
- If there is an associated earache.
- If other factors make you unduly worried.

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Strains and Sprains
A cold compress is the ideal immediate treatment for the sudden sprain, commonly an ankle or wrist. A bag of frozen peas is perfect! This can be kept on for some 15/20 minutes to reduce any immediate swelling, and followed by a firm crepe bandage as support. Most strains and sprains will respond well to a few days rest, along with a mild painkiller such as paracetamol which will also help in relieving any inflammation.

If there has been a significant injury, with a possible underlying fracture, then it is best to visit the nearest Accident and Emergency department. The nearest one to the surgery is at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

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Child Infections

Chicken Pox
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4 mm across. Within a few hours these spots develop small blisters in the centre. During the next 3 or 4 days new crops of spots will appear, and the older ones start to dry up and crust over to form scabs. The only usual problem is itching, and calamine lotion and cool baths are often all that are needed. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe antihistamine syrup if the child is suffering a lot. The child is contagious from about 2 days before the spots appear until all the spots have dried and the crusts dropped off.

German Measles (Rubella)
The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2 - 4mm and does not itch. No other symptoms are usually present. Children generally do not feel ill , although adults may have aching in some joints. It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears until the rash disappears about 4 or 5 days later.

Although a trivial illness for the sufferer, it can be a serious danger and cause major problems to unborn babies. It is therefore vitally important that all contacts are informed immediately in order that anyone who may be pregnant can contact their doctor.

German Measles is a misery and can be prevented by vaccination - It is strongly recommended that every child be immunised. Please see the section on Vaccination & Immunisation for details.

Measles
This usually causes a high temperature, with a catarrhal illness, cough and sore eyes before the rash appears. The rash is red, blotchy and occurs on the face and the trunk. It is contagious until 10 days after the rash began. Severe illness is unusual, but complications can occur, so consult your doctor.

Measles is a misery and can be prevented by vaccination - It is strongly recommended that every child be immunised. Please see the section on Vaccination & Immunisation for details.

Mumps
This is an infection of one or more salivary glands. Symptoms are usually a painful swelling of the glands in front of one ear, often followed after a couple of days by swelling in front of the other ear. The condition is infectious from 2 or 3 days before the swelling starts until all swelling has settled which may take up to 8 or 10 days later. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.

Mumps is unpleasant and can be prevented by vaccination - It is strongly recommended that every child be immunised. Please see the section on Vaccination & Immunisation for details.

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