Self help

The difference between a cold and the flu
People make the mistake of assuming that flu is ‘a bad cold’. This is incorrect. Flu can be more serious and many people in the UK die each year due to complications relating to flu.

Symptoms of a cold
Symptoms include a runny and blocked nose, a sore throat, sneezing and coughing.
These symptoms develop over a few days. Most colds get better after one or two days but some can last for up to a fortnight. The early stages of a cold, when you have a scratchy throat, are the most contagious.

Symptoms of flu
Flu tends to come on much more quickly than a cold. Other symptoms include sudden fever, muscle aches, sweating, exhaustion and a dry, chesty cough. Most people recover within a week, although they may feel tired for longer. People who have a chronic condition, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, or have a very high fever together with severe headache, or abdominal or chest pains should seek medical help.

Dealing with a cold or flu
Most fit and healthy people can manage the symptoms of a cold or flu by themselves without needing to see a doctor. The best advice is to rest, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration and cut out strenuous activity until you have recovered. If you have muscle aches, painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve them.

A warm tea, such as chamomile or peppermint, with some honey can help remedy coughs, sore throats and fevers. Steam inhalation helps cough and blocked noses – boil one inch of water in a pan, remove from the cooker and add five drops of eucalyptus oil. Inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head. Regular saltwater gargles using one tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water can ease sore throats.

Who should have a flu jab?
Flu viruses come in many strains, and each year the vaccine changes to protect against the most common ones around at that time. Flu vaccinations are available on the NHS from September onwards to groups of people who may be prone to complications relating to flu.

People who qualify for the jab include:

• people aged 65 or over
• people who have a serious medical condition
• pregnant women

Insect bites and stings are common and usually only cause minor irritation. However, some stings can be painful and trigger a serious allergic reaction. Read more on the NHS website.

We can treat registered patients (adults and children) for most common, less serious types of injuries within our normal opening times of 8:00 am to 6:30pm.

Generally, we can provide you with treatment more quickly than our local A&E department, which has to give priority to more urgent situations.

Please speak to our receptionists on 01284 769643 (option 4) who will advise how we can help and hopefully save you a trip to A&E.

Allied Health Professionals in Bury St. Edmunds provide physiotherapy services for patients living in East Anglia. Most musculoskeletal problems can be self-managed without interventions from a clinician.

Click here for self-help advice, or to refer yourself to the AHP Physiotherapy service.

Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health (iCaSH) is a free, confidential, and non-judgemental service for patients in Suffolk. Services include chlamydia testing, free condoms, emergency contraception, STI testing, and general support and advice.

iCaSH is located at Abbey View Clinic, 9/10 Churchyard, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1RX.

Contact the service on 0300 123 3650 or visit www.icash.nhs.uk.
Click to order a postal Chlamydia test kit.

What to do if someone dies
It is a legal requirement for a doctor to confirm someone has passed away. There is no need to move the patient. If a doctor has recently seen the patient, a death certificate can normally be issued.

In the event of unexpected death, the doctor will need to notify the coroner. Please be aware when undertakers from outside of the practice area are chosen it can cause a delay in issuing the cause of death certificate. This is because the doctor must see the patient to issue the certificate.

If a death occurs at home

• Telephone the surgery. The doctor will visit to confirm that death has taken place.
• Contact the funeral director to inform them that their services will be required.
• Collect the certificate from the surgery. (You will be told when this will be available for collection.) This will not be possible if it is necessary to involve a coroner.

If death occurs in hospital

• Contact the funeral directors to inform them that their services will be required.
• Collect the certificate from the hospital

Once you have a death certificate

• Take the certificate to the registrar’s office for the area in which the death took place. You will also need to take the deceased’s medical card if available.
• Take the green form to the funeral directors, who will take over complete responsibility for arranging the funeral.

For further advice or support on coping with bereavement, please speak to your GP. Help is also available through Cruse Bereavement Care Suffolk on 01284 767674 or at www.suffolkcruse.co.uk.

Wellbeing Suffolk provide a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood, depression or stress. We work with you to help you make the necessary changes to improve your wellbeing and quality of life. Our services are free and are available for people aged 16 or over.

Visit Wellbeing Suffolk website