Most coughs, colds, sore throats and tummy bugs get better on their own without antibiotics. Your local pharmacist can also help provide advice and medications for symptomatic relief.Knowing what to expect and how to manage your symptoms can help you recover comfortably while reducing unnecessary appointments and antibiotic use.
Common symptoms of viral infections
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Earache
- Sinus pain or pressure
- Red or sticky eyes (viral conjunctivitis)
- Fever, aches and chills
- Sickness or diarrhoea (viral gastroenteritis)
How long do viral illnesses usually last?
It is normal for symptoms to continue for longer than many people expect.
- Cough: up to 3–4 weeks
- Common cold: around 2 weeks
- Sore throat or earache: around 7–8 days
- Sinus infection: 3–4 weeks
- Viral conjunctivitis (eye infection): 7–14 days
- Norovirus (winter vomiting bug): 2–3 days
If your symptoms are getting worse rather than better, or have not improved after these expected timeframes, please contact the practice or NHS 111.
Looking after yourself at home
Most viral infections can be managed with simple self-care:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if appropriate to help with pain, fever or aches (always follow the instructions and check they are suitable for you).
- For a cough, try honey (for adults and children over 1 year) or over-the-counter cough remedies.
- For a sore throat, use medicated lozenges, warm drinks and pain relief if needed.
- For viral conjunctivitis, gently clean the eyelids with cooled boiled water and use cool compresses.
- For mild outer ear infections, speak to your pharmacist about suitable over-the-counter treatments.
Do I need antibiotics?
Usually no. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, including the viruses that cause most coughs, colds, sore throats and flu-like illnesses.
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed:
- will not make you recover faster
- can cause side effects
- contributes to antibiotic resistance, making antibiotics less effective when they are genuinely needed. (Seriously Resistant | Help Us Keep Antibiotics Working)
Persistent coughs
A cough following a viral infection can commonly last up to 3–4 weeks.
If you are aged 40 or over and your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks, you can self-refer for a chest X-ray without needing to see a GP first. This is part of an NHS initiative to help identify any underlying lung problems early.
Help stop infections spreading
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
- Throw tissues away immediately.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding sharing cups, cutlery and toothbrushes while unwell.
- Keep up to date with vaccinations, including seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines if eligible.
When should I seek urgent medical advice?
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
- Coughing up blood.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- A persistent high fever or fever with severe chills.
- Severe headache with vomiting.
- Pain in your back just below the ribs (kidney pain).
- A very fast or very slow pulse.
- Cold, pale or clammy skin.
- Symptoms that are rapidly getting worse.
Signs of Sepsis – Call 999 Immediately
Sepsis is a medical emergency.
Call 999 immediately if someone with an infection develops:
- Slurred speech, confusion or extreme drowsiness.
- Severe breathlessness.
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain.
- Passing little or no urine.
- Skin that is mottled, blue, pale or discoloured.
- A feeling that they are going to die.
Taking your regular medicines when you're unwell
If you have vomiting, diarrhoea, or are unable to drink enough fluids, you may become dehydrated. During these illnesses, some regular medicines may need to be stopped temporarily to help protect your kidneys.
These can include medicines such as:
- Certain blood pressure tablets (including ACE inhibitors and ARBs)
- Diuretics ("water tablets")
- Metformin
- Some diabetes medicines, including SGLT2 inhibitors (such as dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and canagliflozin)
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
This is often referred to as "Sick Day Rules."
If you have been advised to follow Sick Day Rules, stop these medicines while you are dehydrated and restart them once you have been eating and drinking normally for 24–48 hours.
If you are unsure whether this applies to your medication, please speak to your pharmacist, practice nurse or GP for advice. Do not stop medicines such as inhalers, steroids, epilepsy medication or insulin unless you have been specifically advised to do so by a healthcare professional.
Adapted from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) TARGET Self-Care Leaflet for adults (Version 2.0, November 2024).
