Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illnesses

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Pollen allergies – more commonly known as hay fever – are caused when trees and grasses release pollen into the air. Doctors often call hay fever allergic rhinitis. Urinary tract Infections (UTIs) and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common, self-limiting infections frequently presenting in primary care. Most resolve spontaneously but patients will often request symptom relief and self-care advice from community pharmacies. Table 14: Patients presenting multiple suspected infections Number of presenting suspected infections

inserting a tampon or urinary catheter (a thin tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder) if cystitis is not related to having sex – you may be given a low-dose antibiotic to take for a trial period of six months The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it’s very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months. Some antifungal products can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. So avoid sex while undergoing treatment if this is your method of contraception.Table 8: Signposting for symptoms requiring urgent escalation Symptoms requiring immediate escalation for assessment Wearing a MedicAlert or Medi-Tag medallion or bracelet can make others aware of your allergy in an emergency. If you’reat risk of experiencing asevere allergic reaction ( anaphylaxis), make sure you carry two adrenaline auto-injectorswith youeverywhere. Theyare particularly common in children. Some allergies go away as a child gets older, althoughmany are lifelong. Adults can develop allergies to things they weren’t previously allergic to.

If you think you have an allergy, tell your pharmacist about the symptoms you’re having, when they happen, how often they occur and if anything seems to trigger them. Your pharmacist can offer advice and treatment for mild allergies with a clear cause.Anyone collecting free tests on your behalf needs to give the pharmacy your details, including your: using a dam (a piece of thin, soft plastic or latex) to cover the female genitals during oral sex or when rubbing female genitals together give you a prescription for antibiotics, but suggest you wait for 48 hours before taking them in case your symptoms go away on their own

The treatment involves being given occasional small doses of the allergen – either as an injection, or as drops or tablets under the tongue– over the course of several years. a virus (like viral bronchitis) – this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks and antibiotics will not help This affects the whole body and usuallydevelops within minutes of exposure to something you’re allergic to.This might mean you have a chronic (long-term) UTI. This can be caused by bacteria entering the lining of the bladder. Don’t attempt to do thisyourself without discussing it with a qualified healthcare professional. Challenge testing If your pharmacist thinks you might have amild allergy, they can offer advice and treatment to help manage the condition. See your pharmacist if you think you or your child might have had an allergic reaction to something. The symptoms of an allergic reactioncan alsobe caused by other conditions. Your pharmacist can help determine whether it’s likely you have an allergy.