In autumn, runny noses, sore throats and coughs do the rounds at workplaces and in homes. Most respiratory infections are caused by viruses and clear up on their own in about a week, although the cough can last longer. Antibiotics do not help with them. Still, there are situations where a doctor's assessment is warranted.
Go to the emergency department or call 112 immediately if
- breathing is clearly difficult or you are short of breath at rest
- you have chest pain
- you are confused, unusually drowsy or hard to wake
- in addition to fever, your neck is stiff or small spots of bleeding appear on the skin that do not fade when pressed
- you cannot drink or are passing very little urine
In these situations, do not wait and do not start with a remote service.
A doctor's assessment is warranted if
- fever lasts more than 3–4 days or rises again after you were already feeling better
- you feel clearly worse after a couple of days of improvement
- you have severe earache, strong one-sided facial or cheek pain, or your throat is so sore that swallowing is difficult
- the cough lasts more than three weeks or there is blood in your sputum
- you have an underlying condition such as asthma, COPD, diabetes or a weakened immune system, and the symptoms worry you
- you are pregnant and have a fever
Home care is usually enough
When your general condition is reasonable, good home care is the best treatment:
- rest and stay off work while you have a fever
- drink enough, especially when feverish
- fever and pain can be relieved with over-the-counter medicines according to the instructions on the package leaflet
- a saline rinse or a short course of nasal spray can help with congestion
- wash your hands and cough into your sleeve so the illness does not spread
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are an ordinary cold, ask rather than guess.
How Treat can help
When you do not know whether you need a doctor, you can describe your symptoms in Treat in your own words. A licensed doctor usually assesses the situation within minutes during service hours and tells you whether home care is enough, whether tests are needed or whether you should see a doctor in person. If needed, the doctor can write a sick leave certificate without a separate visit.
Treat is not an emergency service. If you have any of the emergency signs listed above, call 112 or go to the emergency department.
This article is general health information and does not replace an individual doctor's assessment.