For a lot of common illnesses and ailments there is no specific cure, and they will be relieved with time and simple remedies available without prescription. Therefore, please do not expect your doctor to prescribe a drug for every problem. Discussion and advice may be far more useful and free from side effects.
We feel it is important that all households should keep a reasonably stocked supply of over the counter medicines at home to deal with minor ailments. Remember, all medicines should be stored in a box or cupboard with a lock and kept well out of the reach of children. Always check the expiry date on medicines and do not keep them for future use, as they lose their effect or become dangerous.
You can also visit your local pharmacy for help and advice when you have a minor illness or ailment.
NHS online resources
You can get advice on a number of minor injuries and illnesses, and browse the NHS A-Z of conditions where you can find out about symptoms, causes and treatments of common illnesses and conditions.
The NHS 111 symptom checker will help you decide if you can use self-care or if you need to see a clinician. The symptom checker is also available from within the NHS app - a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
There are also self-help guides for the self-care of common conditions including earache, abdominal pain and headache on the NHS UK website, and information about caring for yourself at home if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or Flu.
None of us like being ill, and we want to feel better again as soon as possible. Self-care will often be the quickest way to treat a minor illness.