Managing Minor Illness

Many minor illnesses can be treated simply at home without consulting a doctor.

Firstly you need a good home medical guide such as the BMA publication Family Doctor Home Advisor, available in local bookshops. Secondly every household should keep a few basic medicines, stored in a safe place, well out of reach of children. We recommend the following.

For Adults

• Paracetamol Tablets 500mgs. Take two tablets, four times a day, for headache, sore throat, aching muscles, neck and backache and fever.
• Imodium Capsules - for diarrhoea.
• Olbus Oil is a popular soothing inhalation for catarrh, sinus problems and dry coughs.
• Antihistamine cream - useful for insect bites and allergic skin reactions.
• Calamine lotion - for sunburn, itchy or sore skin.

For Children

• Paracetamol Syrup (e.g. Calpol or Disprol) - for fever or pain, view dose advice.
• Rehydration sachets for diarrhoea and vomiting (e g Rehidrat or Dioralyte).

All these medicines can be bought cheaply from your pharmacist.