What are the symptoms of a common infection?
- Eyes: Red eyes | Sticky eyes | Eyes burn or feel gritty
- Ears, nose and throat: Pain or soreness | Blocked or runny nose | Swollen tonsils
- Chest: Cough | Shortness of breath | Coughing up green or yellow mucous
- Gut: Nausea | Vomiting | Diarrhoea
How common is my infection?
Every year in the UK adults experience 2-3 colds, on average (more common in children). 1 in 5 people have a gut infection. 1 in 10 people have a sinus infection.
How can I treat a common infection?
- Get plenty of rest until you feel better.
- Take pain relief if you need to (make sure you follow the instructions).
- Drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration and pass urine regularly (6 to 8 cups or glasses).
- For coughs, try honey and cough medicines.
- For sore throats, try medicated lozenges and pain relief.
- Soothe eye infections with boiled and cooled water on the eyelids, apply cool compresses gently around the eye.
- For an outer ear infection, consider over-the-counter ear drops.
How long could my infection last?
- Cough: 3 to 4 weeks
- Sore throat: 7 to 8 days
- Common cold: 14 days
- Norobirus (winter vomiting) 2 to 3 days
- Sinus infection: 3 to 4 weeks
- Eye infection: 7 to 14 days
Contact your GP if your symptoms are getting worse or if you are not better by the times above.
Click the link for more information: Self Care for managing common infections
