Pharmacy First for Common Autumn Infections: When to Seek Advice and When to Book an Appointment
As the weather becomes cooler, respiratory infections and other common illnesses can become more noticeable. A blocked or runny nose, sore throat, cough, earache or worsening skin irritation may affect your daily life, but it can be difficult to know whether you need self-care, an appointment with a pharmacist or more urgent medical help.
Pharmacy First offers convenient advice and treatment for several common conditions. At Cattedown Pharmacy in Plymouth, our trained pharmacy team can assess your symptoms, recommend suitable treatment and advise you when another healthcare service is more appropriate. Where clinically suitable, the service may include NHS treatment without needing to see a GP first.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is an NHS service available through participating community pharmacies in England. It allows pharmacists to assess certain common conditions and provide advice, treatment or referral. Depending on your symptoms, age and medical history, this may include an NHS prescription for an antibiotic or another appropriate medicine.
Antibiotics are not needed for every infection. Many coughs, colds and sore throats are caused by viruses, which do not improve with antibiotics. A pharmacist will consider your symptoms carefully and recommend treatment based on your individual circumstances. You can still receive helpful advice even when an antibiotic is not appropriate.
Pharmacy First is not intended to replace emergency care. If you are seriously unwell or have symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, call 999 or attend an emergency department.
Autumn conditions the service may help with
Sore throat
Sore throats are common in autumn and are often linked to viral infections. A pharmacist can assess a sore throat in eligible patients aged five years and over. They may recommend self-care, pain relief or treatment if a bacterial infection is suspected and the clinical criteria are met.
Seek urgent medical help if a sore throat is severe or rapidly worsening, you are unable to swallow fluids or saliva, you have difficulty breathing, or you develop swelling in the mouth or throat. These symptoms may need urgent assessment rather than a routine pharmacy appointment.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis can cause a blocked or runny nose, facial pain or pressure, reduced sense of smell and thick nasal discharge. It commonly follows a cold and many cases improve without antibiotics. Pharmacy First can assess sinusitis in people aged 12 and over, where the symptoms meet the service criteria.
Arrange an assessment if symptoms are persistent, troublesome or worsening, particularly if you have significant facial pain or pressure. Urgent advice is needed for swelling around the eyes, changes to vision, a severe headache, confusion or a very high temperature.
Earache and acute middle-ear infection
Earache may follow a cold and can be particularly uncomfortable. Pharmacy First can assess suspected acute otitis media, commonly known as a middle-ear infection, in children and young people aged one to 17 years. The pharmacist will ask about symptoms, duration and general health before recommending treatment or referral.
Seek prompt medical advice if a child is very drowsy, seriously unwell, has swelling behind the ear, develops new hearing loss, has fluid or blood coming from the ear, or has a high temperature that is not settling. Babies under one year with suspected ear infection should also be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than relying on routine self-care.
Infected insect bites
Insect bites can become infected after being scratched. Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain or pus may indicate infection. Pharmacy First can assess infected insect bites and advise on suitable treatment. It is helpful to explain when the bite occurred and whether the redness is spreading.
Get urgent advice if redness is spreading quickly, you feel faint or very unwell, you have severe swelling, or the bite is near the eye or mouth. A sudden swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing after a bite, is an emergency and requires a 999 call.
Other conditions covered by Pharmacy First
The service may also assess impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, subject to eligibility and clinical assessment. Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that can cause weeping or crusted sores. Shingles often causes a painful, one-sided rash and is best treated promptly. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections may be assessed in eligible women aged 16 to 64.
If you have a new blistering rash on your face, particularly near the eye, seek urgent medical advice. For urinary symptoms, urgent assessment is needed if you have pain in your back or side, a high temperature, vomiting, confusion or symptoms during pregnancy.
When should you book a Pharmacy First appointment?
Consider booking an appointment when your symptoms match one of the conditions covered by the service, are not improving with sensible self-care, or are becoming more troublesome. You can also contact the pharmacy if you are unsure whether your symptoms need assessment. Early advice may help you choose the most appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary delays.
Before your appointment, make a note of when your symptoms started, whether they are getting better or worse, any medicines you have tried and any allergies you have. Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a long-term condition, take regular medicines or have recently received treatment for a similar problem.
Pharmacy First is available to eligible patients, but the pharmacist must confirm that the service is clinically suitable. Some people may need advice from their GP, NHS 111, an urgent treatment centre or another specialist service instead.
What can you do at home for common autumn infections?
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids, particularly if you have a temperature.
- Use age-appropriate pain relief if suitable for you, following the instructions on the packaging.
- Ask the pharmacy team before using decongestants, cough medicines or cold remedies, as some are unsuitable for children or people with certain health conditions.
- Wash your hands regularly and avoid sharing towels, cups or personal items if you have a contagious infection.
- Do not use leftover antibiotics or share antibiotics with someone else.
- For a suspected infected bite or skin infection, keep the area clean and avoid scratching or picking it.
When to seek urgent or emergency help
Contact NHS 111 or seek urgent medical advice if your symptoms are worsening quickly, you have a persistent high temperature, you are dehydrated, or you have a significant underlying condition that may increase your risk of complications. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may need earlier assessment.
Call 999 for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, sudden confusion, collapse, a severe allergic reaction or any other life-threatening symptoms. If you are uncertain about the urgency, explain your symptoms clearly to the healthcare professional you contact.
Book Pharmacy First at Cattedown Pharmacy
For advice about an eligible autumn infection, book a Pharmacy First appointment with Cattedown Pharmacy. Our friendly team can assess your symptoms, provide clear guidance and help you access further care if needed.