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Leaflets to discuss with patients

Site: Royal College of General Practitioners - Online Learning Environment
Course: TARGET antibiotics toolkit hub
Book: Leaflets to discuss with patients
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Saturday, 23 November 2024, 8:05 AM

Description

TARGET logo, showing some pills and the words TARGET, keep antibiotics workingUsing patient leaflets interactively in consultations is the best way to support effective discussions and maintain patient satisfaction.

Version 1.0, November 2021.


Table of contents

How to use these leaflets

Using patient leaflets interactively in consultations is the best way to support effective discussions and maintain patient satisfaction. Paper copies of the leaflets are not provided by TARGET and should be self-printed.

Click on the links in the menu to access the individual leaflets, and see below for tips on how and why to use this type of communication tool.

Discussing A Leaflet Interactively In Your Consultations

Using patient leaflets interactively in consultations is the best way to support effective discussions and maintain patient satisfaction. Evidence from a Cochrane systematic review (Sullivan et al. 2016)and UK-based trials showed that using leaflets interactively with parents of children with respiratory tract infections (Francis et al. 2009), together with enhanced communication skills (Little et al. 2013) and delayed prescriptions (Little et al. 2005, Macfarlane et al. 2002) helps to:

  • Address patient/parent concerns: you can highlight information about symptoms and expected duration. 
  • Empower patients: you can provide specific examples of how to self-care for infections. 
  • Improve patient recall: patients are likely to better remember the consultation and your advice. 
  • Improve patient satisfaction and enablement: by covering information which addresses patient concerns.
  • Standardise advice: leaflets help deliver a more consistent approach to infection management in your practice. 
  • Support your advice: leaflets can provide objective evidence to support your explanations. 
  • Reduce antibiotic use: patients in trials who had consultations where leaflets were used interactively were prescribed and consumed fewer antibiotics.

How To Use Leaflets Interactively To Engage Patients

  • Introduce the leaflet early: patients may feel "fobbed off" if you just give them a leaflet at the end of the consultation without going through it. You can point to sections within a leaflet whilst you give your explanation about symptoms and management. 
  • Personalise the leaflet: you can add the patient's name and highlight sections which are relevant to them by filling in or circling sections. 
  • Provide options: you can give patients printed leaflets or send them by text message or email.

The TARGET 'Treating Your Infection’ leaflets for common infections are available in 25 languages and in a pictorial format. They all provide information on: 

  • Average symptom duration for common infections 
  • Self-care advice for patients/parents 
  • Safety-netting advice about when to reconsult

Self-care Leaflet

The Managing Your Common Infection (Self-Care) leaflet can be used as a tool to increase patients’ confidence and knowledge on how to self-care for their own infections thereby potentially reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.

Managing your common infection (self-care) leaflet (Welsh)

Managing common infection (self-care) leaflet translations

The following translations do not include the most up to date information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

Self-care Leaflet HTML

How can I manage my common infection?

A leaflet for adults aged 16 years and over

Version 2.0. Published: November2024. Revision date: November 2027

Developed with healthcare professionals, patients and professional medical bodies. TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency

Contents

1

What are the symptoms of a common infection?

Eyes: Red eyes, Sticky eyes, Eyes burn or feel gritty. Chest: Cough, Shortness of breath, Coughing up green or yellow mucus. Ears, nose and throat: Pain or soreness, Blocked or runny nose, Swollen tonsils. Gut: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea.
2

How common is my infection?

Every year in the UK…

adults experience 2-3 colds, on average (more common in children)

2-3 colds

1 in 5 people have a gut infection

1 in 5 people

1 in 10 people have a sinus infection

1 in 10 people
3

How can I treat a common infection?

  • Get plenty of rest until you feel better.
  • Take pain relief if you need to (make sure you follow the instructions).
  • Drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration and pass urine regularly (6 to 8 cups or glasses).
  • For coughs, try honey and cough medicines.
  • For sore throats, try medicated lozenges and pain relief.
  • Soothe eye infections with boiled and cooled water on the eyelids, apply cool compresses gently around the eye.
  • For an outer ear infection, consider over-the-counter ear drops.
4

How long could my infection last?

Cough

3 to 4 weeks

Sore throat or earache

7 to 8 days

Common cold

14 days

Norovirus (winter vomiting)

2 to 3 days

Sinus infection

3 to 4 weeks

Eye infection

7 to 14 days

Contact your GP if your symptoms are getting worse or if you are not better by the times above.

Visit www.nhs.uk for self-care advice on common infections
5

Will my infection need antibiotics to get better?

  • Your body can normally fight off common infections on its own
  • You do not usually need antibiotics unless symptoms of a bacterial infection are severe – follow your healthcare professional’s advice on this
  • Taking antibiotics when you do not need to may put you and your family at risk
  • Follow your healthcare professional’s advice on antibiotics
  • Find out more about antibiotics at www.antibioticguardian.com
6

How can I stop my infection from spreading?

If you need to cough or sneeze:

Catch it with a tissue (or your inner elbow)

Bin it – throw away used tissues

Kill it – clean your hands

Clean hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitiser:

before preparing and eating food

after using the toilet

after touching pets or animals

when leaving and arriving home

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. If possible, keep your distance from others (2 meters or 6 feet), especially vulnerable people in your household.

Do not share items that come into contact with your mouth, such as eating utensils and toothbrushes.

Keep yourself and your family up to date with vaccinations. Always get winter vaccines (such as flu) if you are eligible.

Visit or call a pharmacy for further advice on common infections
7

What symptoms of serious illness should I look out for?

Severe headache and vomiting

Ongoing fever or chills (temperature above 38ºC or less than 36ºC)

Problems swallowing

Coughing blood

Breathing faster or slower than usual, chest pain or tightness

Kidney pain in your back just under your ribs

New very fast or slow pulse

Very cold skin

If you have the symptoms above, contact your GP urgently or use the following services for your region.

NHS England

Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999

NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales

NHS Scotland

NHS 24

Northern Ireland
Contact your GP practice

HSC Public Health Agency

These services can provide a confidential interpreter if you need one.

8

What if I suspect signs of sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. Possible signs are:

  • slurred speech, confusion or drowsiness
  • extreme shivering
  • passing no urine in a day
  • severe breathlessness
  • it feels like you’re going to die, and
  • skin blotchy or discoloured

If you suspect sepsis: Call 999 immediately

For any leaflet queries please contact us:

TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

UTI Leaflet - Women Under 65 Years

The Treating Your Infection Urinary Tract Infection (TYI-UTI) patient information leaflet has been designed to be used with women under 65 years who are experiencing urinary symptoms suggesting uncomplicated UTIs. This leaflet supports implementation of recommendations in the NICE guidelines on processes for antimicrobial stewardship and behaviour change for antimicrobial stewardship.

TYI-UTI leaflet for women under 65 years leaflet (Welsh)

TYI-UTI leaflet for women under 65 years leaflet translations

The following translations do not include information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

UTI Leaflet - Women Under 65 HTML

Treating your urinary tract infection (UTI)

For women under 65 years with suspected lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) or lower recurrent UTIs (cystitis or urethritis)

Version 2.0. Published: November2024. Revision date: November 2027

Developed with healthcare professionals, patients and professional medical bodies. TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency

Contents

1

Possible urinary signs and symptoms

Key signs and symptoms

  • Dysuria: Burning pain when peeing
  • New nocturia: Needing to pee in the night
  • Cloudy urine: Pee looks cloudy

Other signs and symptoms to consider

  • Frequency: Peeing more often than usual
  • Urgency: Feeling the need to pee immediately
  • Haematuria: Blood in your urine
  • Suprapubic pain: Pain in your lower tummy

Other things to consider

Recent sex

  • Inflammation due to sex can feel similar to the symptoms of a UTI
  • Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have symptoms similar to those of a UTI

Changes during menopause

  • Some changes during the menopause can have symptoms similar to those of a UTI
2

Self-care to help yourself get better more quickly

  • Drink enough fluids to stop you feeling thirsty. Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses a day
  • Avoid too much alcohol, fizzy drink or caffeine that can irritate your bladder
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as advised for pain relief, if you have had no previous side effects
  • You could try taking cranberry capsules or cystitis sachets. Some women find these effective. The evidence to support their use is inconclusive.
  • Consider the risk factors in the ‘Options to help prevent UTI’ column to reduce future UTIs
4

Options to help prevent a UTI

It may help you to consider the following risk factors:

  • Stop bacteria spreading from your bowel into your bladder. Wipe from front (vagina) to back (bottom) after using the toilet
  • Avoid waiting to go to the toilet. Pee as soon as you need to
  • Go for a pee after having sex to flush out any bacteria that may be near the opening to the urethra
  • Wash the external vagina area with water before and after sex to wash away any bacteria that may be near the opening to the urethra
  • Drink enough fluids to make sure you pee regularly throughout the day, especially during hot weather

If you have repeated UTIs, discuss this with a healthcare professional. The following may help.

  • There is good evidence to show that vaginal hormonal treatment may help after the menopause
  • You could try taking cranberry products, D-mannose or probiotics. Some women find these effective. The evidence to support their use is inconclusive
5

Antibiotic resistance

  • Antibiotics can be lifesaving. But they are not always needed for urinary symptoms
  • Taking any antibiotics can make bacteria that live inside your body more resistant. This means that antibiotics may not work when you really need them
  • This may make future UTIs more difficult to treat
  • Common side effects of taking antibiotics include thrush, rashes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Get medical advice if you are worried
  • Keep antibiotics working – only take them when advised by a health professional. This way they are more likely to work for a future UTI
6

Types of urinary tract infection

UTIs are caused by bacteria getting into your urethra or bladder, usually from your gut. Infections may occur in different parts of the urinary tract.

Urethra: Takes urine out of the body, Infection or inflammation in the urethra – Urethritis (your-ith-right-is). Kidneys: Make urine, Infection in the upper urinary tract – Pyelonephritis (pie-lo-nef-right-is). Bladder: Stories urine, Infection in the lower urinary tract –Cystitis (sis-tight-is).
7

When should you get help?

Contact your GP practice or NHS 111

The following symptoms are possible signs of serious infection and should be assessed urgently. Phone for advice if you are not sure how urgent the symptoms are.

  • You have shivering, chills and muscle pain
  • You feel confused, or are very drowsy
  • You have not been for a pee all day
  • You are vomiting
  • You see blood in your urine
  • Your temperature is above 38ºC or less than 36ºC
  • You have kidney pain in your back just under the ribs
  • Your symptoms get worse
  • Your symptoms are not starting to improve within 48 hours of taking antibiotics

For any leaflet queries please contact us:

TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

UTI Leaflet - Older Adults

The Treating Your Infection Urinary Tract Infection (TYI-UTI) leaflet for older adults can be used either to provide information on UTIs to those at risk or care staff may wish to share this leaflet with older adults in their care and/or their relatives. The leaflet may also be used during primary care consultations to facilitate dialogue between a patient and their healthcare professional on specific topics like treatment or safety netting. We would recommend that the leaflet is used as a tool to interact with patients, rather than as a ‘parting gift’.

TYI-UTI for older adults leaflet (Welsh)

TYI-UTI for older adults leaflet translations

The following translations do not include information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

UTI Leaflet - Older Adults HTML

Target: Keep antibiotics working logo with four pills making a target sign

A leaflet for older adults and carers

Contents

What is a urine infection?

A urine infection occurs when bacteria in any part of the urine system cause symptoms.

If a urine test finds bacteria but you are otherwise well, do not worry, this is common, and antibiotics are not usually needed. However, severe urine infections can be life threatening.

Diagram of kidneys, bladder and urethra, with kidneys labelled a, bladder labelled b, and urethra labelled c

a. Kidneys make urine

b. Bladder stores urine

c. Urethra takes urine out of the body

What can you do to help prevent a urine infection?

Are you drinking enough? Look at the colour of your urine.

Colour strip showing shades pale white-yellow through to amber. There is a smiley face on the pale-white yellow, a neutral face in the middle, and a sad face and the words Drink more on the darker shades

  • Drink enough fluid (6-8 glasses) so that you pass pale coloured urine regularly during the day, and to avoid feeling thirsty, especially during hot weather
  • Avoid drinking too many fizzy drinks or alcohol
  • There is no proven benefit of cranberry products or cystitis sachets
  • Prevent constipation; ask for advice if needed
  • Maintain good control of diabetes

Stop bacteria spreading from your bowel into your bladder

  • Wipe genitals from front to back after using the toilet
  • Change pads and clean genitals if soiled
  • Keep the genital area clean and dry; avoid scented soaps
  • Wash genital area with water before and after sex

Speak to your pharmacist about referral to a GP or other treatments.

What signs and symptoms should you look out for?

Consider these symptoms if you have a urinary catheter

  • Shivering or shaking
  • High or low temperature
  • Kidney pain in your back just under the ribs

New or worsening signs of urine infection in all people

  • Pain or burning when passing urine
  • High or low temperature (also a sign of COVID-19 – see below)
  • Shivering or shaking
  • Urgency (feeling the need to urinate immediately)
  • Pain in your lower tummy above pubic area
  • Incontinence (wetting yourself more often than usual)
  • Passing urine more often than usual
  • Cloudy urine, or visible blood in your urine
  • Confusion, change in behaviour, or unsteadiness on feet

Consider other things that may also cause confusion

  • Pain
  • Constipation
  • Poor sleep
  • Low mood
  • Not drinking enough
  • Side effects of medicine
  • Other infection
  • Change in your routine or home environment
  • Poor diet

COVID-19 specific advice

If you think you may have COVID-19 then please visit GOV.UK's coronavirus section and the NHS for the latest guidance and information.

Speak to NHS111, a pharmacist or your GP if you are worried about COVID-19.

When should you get help?

The following symptoms are possible signs of serious infection and should be assessed urgently. Contact your GP Practice or contact NHS 111 (England), NHS 24 (Scotland dial 111), NHS direct (Wales dial 0845 4647), or GP practice (NI).

  • Shivering, chills and muscle pain
  • Not passing urine all day
  • Trouble breathing
  • Visible blood in your urine
  • Feeling very confused, drowsy or slurred speech
  • Temperature is above 38ºC* or less than 36ºC
  • Kidney pain in your back just under the ribs
  • Very cold skin

Symptoms are getting a lot worse, or not starting to improve within 2 days of starting antibiotics.

Trust your instincts, ask for advice if you are not sure how urgent the symptoms are.

What can you do to help feel better?

  • Drink enough fluid so that you pass urine regularly during the day, especially during hot weather
  • Take paracetamol regularly, up to 4 times daily to relieve fever and pain
  • There is no proven benefit of cranberry products or cystitis sachets
  • If you’re worried about wetting yourself, see your doctor or nurse for advice
  • Ask for advice from your pharmacist/carer
  • Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty and to keep your urine pale

What might your pharmacist / nurse / doctor do?

  • If your symptoms are likely to get better on their own you may receive self-care advice and pain relief
  • Ask you to drink more fluids
  • Ask you for a urine sample
  • You may be given an antibiotic that you can use if your symptoms don’t improve or you start to feel worse

Advice about antibiotics

  • Antibiotics can be life saving for serious urine infections, but antibiotics are not always needed for all urinary symptoms
  • Antibiotics may make the bacteria in your bowel resistant to antibiotics making UTIs difficult to treat in the future
  • Common side effects of taking antibiotics include thrush, rashes, vomiting and diarrhoea; ask for advice if you are worried
  • Keep antibiotics working, only take them when your healthcare professional advises them

About this leaflet

TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency. Developed in collaboration with professional medical bodies. 

Version: 2.4
Published: October 2018
Review date: June 2021.

UTI Leaflet - all adults

This leaflet contains information from our Treating Your Infection Urinary Tract Infection (TYI-UTI) leaflet for women under 65 years and UTI leaflet for older adults in an easily accessible booklet style format with icons and images. This leaflet has been designed for use in the primary care setting, including general practice, community pharmacy and for use by carers and in care homes. It is suitable for consultations to facilitate dialogue between a patient or their carer and their healthcare professional on specific topics related to managing their UTI.

For a fully referenced version of the leaflet, please email: TARGETAntibiotics@phe.gov.uk.

UTI leaflet combined for adults (Welsh)

UTI leaflet combined for adults translations

The following translations do not include information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

UTI Leaflet - Combined For Adults HTML

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A leaflet for adults

Version 2.0. Published: November2024. Revision date: November 2027

Developed with healthcare professionals, patients and professional medical bodies. TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency

Contents

1

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria in any part of the urinary system cause symptoms. A diagnosis is made mainly on your symptoms. Urine dipstick tests are only used for women under 65 who don’t have a catheter.

Urethra: takes urine out of the body. Kidneys: Make urine. Bladder: Stories urine.
2

What can you do to help prevent a UTI?

Are you drinking enough?

Drink enough fluids. Regular drinks, like water or squash will boost hydration and help your body stay healthy. The NHS England Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. Your bladder can be irritated by too much alcohol, fizzy drink or caffeine.

Stop bacteria spreading from your bowel into your bladder

  • Keep your genital area clean and dry. Avoid scented soaps. Change incontinence pads often, and clean your genital area if soiled.
  • Pee after having sex.
  • Wash the external vaginal area with water before and after sex
  • Wipe your genitals from front to back after using the toilet.

Repeated UTIs

  • If you are female and past the menopause, vaginal hormone treatments may help.
  • If you are male, ask for support from your healthcare professional.
  • You could try taking cranberry dietary supplements, D-mannose (for younger women) or probiotics. Some women find these effective. The evidence to support their use is inconclusive.
3

What symptoms should I look out for?

Signs and symptoms in ALL adults

  • Burning pain when peeing
  • Peeing at night more often than usual
  • Cloudy urine
  • Peeing more often than usual
  • Feeling the need to pee immediately
  • Blood in your urine
  • Pain in your lower tummy

If you have a catheter, also consider these symptoms

  • Shivering or shaking
  • High or low temperature
  • Kidney pain in your back just under the ribs
  • New or increased confusion, change in behaviour or being unsteady on your feet
4

Symptoms of a UTI in OLDER, FRAIL adults

These symptoms may be more noticeable in older, frail adults

Wetting yourself more often than usual

New or increased confusion, change in behaviour, or being unsteady on your feet

High or low temperature

Shivering or shaking

5

Urinary symptoms may also be caused by the following

  • Pain or discomfort after sex
  • A sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • Vaginal changes during or after the menopause
6

Other things that may cause confusion in older adults

  • Pain
  • Poor sleep
  • Constipation
  • Side effects of medicine
  • Poor diet
  • Other infection
  • Not drinking enough
  • Change in routine or home environment
7

What can I do to feel better?

What you can do

Drink enough fluids. Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or squash a day

Take paracetamol regularly, up to 4 times a day to relieve pain

You could try taking cranberry capsules or cystitis sachets. Some women find these effective. The evidence to support their use is inconclusive.

What your pharmacist, nurse or doctor may do

Give self-care advice and advise you to take pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen)

Ask you for a urine sample to test

You may be given an antibiotic to take immediately or take if your symptoms don’t improve or you start to feel worse.

You may be referred to another healthcare provider

8

If you have repeated UTIs and self-care options do not help

  • You may be prescribed antibiotics to take at night or after sex
  • Vaginal hormone treatments may help some women after the menopause
9

Advice about antibiotics

  • Antibiotics can be life saving for serious urine infections, but they are not always needed for mild urinary symptoms
  • Taking any antibiotics can make bacteria that live inside your body more resistant. This means that antibiotics may not work when you really need them
  • Common side effects of taking antibiotics include thrush, rashes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Ask for advice if you are worried
  • Only take antibiotics if your healthcare professional advises you to – they will work better this way

Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them may put you and your family at risk.

10

When should I get more urgent help?

You should see a health professional if you have UTI symptoms and:

  • your symptoms are getting a lot worse, or not starting to improve within 2 days of starting antibiotics; or
  • you are pregnant, male or you have recently had an operation

The following symptoms could be signs of a serious urinary infection and should be assessed urgently

Shivering, chills and muscle pain

Not going for a pee all day

Trouble breathing

Blood in your urine

Feeling very confused, drowsy, or having slurred speech

Temperature above 38ºC or below 36ºC

Kidney pain in your back just under the ribs

Very cold skin

Vomiting

If you have the symptoms above, contact your GP urgently or use the following services for your region.

Trust your instincts – ask for advice if you are not sure how urgent your symptoms are

NHS England

Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999

NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales

NHS Scotland

NHS 24

Northern Ireland
Contact your GP practice

HSC Public Health Agency

For any leaflet queries please contact us:

TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

RTI Leaflet

The Treating Your Infection Respiratory Tract Infection (TYI-RTI) patient information leaflet has been designed to be used with patients who are experiencing self limiting RTIs. This leaflet supports implementation of recommendations in the NICE guidelines on processes for antimicrobial stewardship, behaviour change for antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections.

TYI-RTI leaflet (Welsh)

TYI-RTI leaflet translations

The following translations do not include information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

RTI Leaflet – HTML

Treating your respiratory tract infection (RTI)

Version 2.0. Published: November2024. Revision date: November 2027

Developed with healthcare professionals, patients and professional medical bodies. TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency

Contents

1

Most infections are better by

Middle-ear infection

7 to 8 days

Sore throat

7 to 8 days

Sinusitis

14 to 21 days

Common cold

14 days

Cough or bronchitis

3 to 4 weeks

Other Infection

Days ..........

2

How to look after yourself and your family

  • Have plenty of rest
  • Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty
  • Ask your local pharmacist to recommend medicines to help reduce your symptoms or pain (or both)
  • Fever is a sign your body is fighting the infection. It usually gets better by itself in most cases. You can use paracetamol if you (or your child) are uncomfortable because of a fever
  • Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands with soap to help prevent spreading infection to your family, friends and other people

Never share antibiotics and always return any unused antibiotics to a pharmacy for them to dispose of safely.

3

When to get help

If any of the below apply to you or your child, get an urgent assessment from a healthcare professional. If your child is under the age of 5, to A&E immediately or call 999.

  • Your skin is very cold or has a strange colour, or you develop an unusual rash
  • You have new feelings of confusion or drowsiness or have slurred speech
  • You have difficulty breathing. Signs that suggest breathing problems include:
    • breathing quickly;
    • turning blue around the lips and the skin below the mouth;
    • skin between or above the ribs getting sucked or pulled in with every breath

If you (or your child) have any of the following symptoms, are getting worse or are sicker than you would expect (even if your temperature falls), trust your instincts and get medical advice urgently from NHS 111 or your GP.

  • You develop a severe headache and are sick
  • You have a red, swollen tongue
  • You have redness, swelling and pain around the eyes or the ears
  • You develop chest pain
  • You have difficulty swallowing or are drooling
  • You cough up blood
  • You are peeing very little, or not at all
  • You are feeling a lot worse
  • Your child has a middle-ear infection and fluid is coming out of their ears or they have new deafness

Less serious signs that can usually wait until you visit a pharmacist or your next available appointment

  • You are not starting to improve a little by the time given in the ‘Most are better by’ column in the table above
  • You have mild side effects such as diarrhoea. Get advice from a healthcare professional if concerned
4

Back-up antibiotic collection

Your clinician can advise how long you should wait before you collect a back-up antibiotic prescription, only if you are not starting to feel a little better or you feel worse.

  • Colds, most coughs, sinusitis, ear infections, sore throats, and other infections often get better without antibiotics, as your body can usually fight these infections on its own

If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Never save them for later and do not share them with others. For more information, visit: www.antibioticguardian.com.

Why it is important to take antibiotics as prescribed

  • Taking any antibiotics makes bacteria that live inside your body more resistant. This means that antibiotics may not work when you really need them

Antibiotics can cause side effects such as rashes, thrush, stomach pains, diarrhoea, reactions to sunlight, other symptoms, or being sick if you drink alcohol with the antibiotic metronidazole.

For any leaflet queries please contact us:

TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

RTI Pictorial Leaflet

The leaflet can be used to provide information on RTIs. It is pictorial and uses plain English so that it is suitable for a range of community groups. The leaflet may also be used during primary care consultations to facilitate dialogue between a patient and their healthcare professional on specific topics like treatment or safety netting. We would recommend that the leaflet is used as a tool to interact with patients, rather than as a ‘parting gift’.

TYI-RTI pictorial leaflet (Welsh)

TYI-RTI pictorial leaflet translations

The following translations do not include information about COVID-19, please discuss concerns with your patient as part of the consultation.

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TTARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

RTI Pictorial Leaflet - HTML

Respiratory tract infection

A step-by-step guide on how to manage your infection

Version 4.0. Published: November2024. Revision date: November 2027

Developed with healthcare professionals, patients and professional medical bodies. TARGET is operated by the UK Health Security Agency

Contents

1

What is an RTI?

A respiratory tract infection (RTI) occurs in the upper or lower respiratory tract, causing symptoms. An RTI is usually caused by a virus, but can sometimes be bacterial.

What are some common symptoms of an RTI?

Nasal cavity: Blocked or runny nose. Sinuses: Pain, Swelling. Lungs: Cough, Shortness of breath, Coughing up mucus. Ears: Earache. Throat: Sore throat, Swollen tonsils.
2

Help yourself to feel better

Whatever your infection, you can do the following to help.

Paracetamol

Take paracetamol to reduce pain. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

Person and pharmacist

Ask your pharmacist for advice on reducing your symptoms.

Person resting

Get plenty of rest until you feel better.

Person drinking water

Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty.

Person using tissue

Use tissues when you sneeze to help stop infections spreading.

Person washing hands

Wash your hands regularly and after using tissues.

For more information, visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk. Most common infections get better without antibiotics. Find how you can make better use of antibiotics at www.antibioticguardian.com.

3

Check how long your symptoms last

Person with earache

Earache

Most get better by 7 to 8 days

Person with sore throat

Sore throat

Most get better by 7 to 8 days

Person with cold

Cold

Most get better by 14 days

Person with cough

Cough

Most get better by 3 to 4 weeks

If you are not starting to improve a little by the times given above, visit a pharmacist or contact your GP practice. If you are feeling a lot worse, phone NHS 111 or NHS 24 (see step 4).

4

Look out for serious symptoms

If you have an infection and develop any of the symptoms below, you should see a doctor urgently. Ring your GP practice or call NHS 111 or NHS 24.

Person with headache

Severe headache

Person with cold skin

Very cold skin

Person with trouble breathing

Trouble breathing

Person feeling confused

Feeling confused

Person with chest pain

Chest pain

Person with problems swallowing

Problems swallowing

Person coughing blood

Coughing blood

Person feeling a lot worse

Feeling a lot worse

Where to get help

NHS England

Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999

NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales

NHS Scotland

NHS 24

Northern Ireland
Contact your GP practice

HSC Public Health Agency

If you have an emergency, call 999 immediately.

For any leaflet queries please contact us:

TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

RTI leaflet - other settings

For pharmacy versions of the leaflets (including Welsh versions) please refer to our RTI leaflet for community pharmacies section within the TARGET toolkit.

This leaflet has been designed for use in the out of house (OOH) setting. It is suitable for consultations to facilitate dialogue between a patient and their healthcare professional on specific topics related to their RTI.

TYI-RTI leaflet for OOH Clinics (Welsh)

For any leaflet queries please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@ukhsa.gov.uk

Pharmacy Antibiotic Checklist

The antibiotic checklist is for community pharmacy staff to use with patients or carers collecting antibiotics. The checklist has been designed to follow the antibiotic prescription journey, to be completed by patients and pharmacists, to facilitate individualised advice to the patient.

Pharmacy Antibiotic Checklist translations

Community pharmacy counselling checklist

This Antibiotic Counselling sheet is a supporting tool to the Antibiotic Checklist, which can help inform the information provided to patients, including how to take antibiotics, their common side effects, and interactions. This was a collaboration between the Public Health England (now the UK Health Security Agency) TARGET Antibiotics toolkit and Public Health Wales and is suitable to be used by healthcare professionals across England and Wales. This counselling sheet underwent consultation with the All-Wales Antimicrobial Guidance Group (AWAGG).

For more information on How Community Pharmacies Can Keep Antibiotics Working, visit Health Education England’s AMR Hub and complete the e-module on Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy.

For any queries in the content of the leaflet please contact us: TARGETantibiotics@phe.gov.uk

Other available leaflets and resources

These resources were not developed by TARGET and are not endorsed by the UKHSA or RCGP, but may be useful in primary care settings.

Healthier Together Web Resources

Healthier Together is a web-based resource endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the NHS. It’s aim is to improve the quality of care for pregnant women, children, and young people. The resources on the Healthier Together websites have been developed in partnership between parents and healthcare professionals. They supply patient facing information on common illnesses, including advice on what serious 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if needed, what you should do to keep comfortable and how long symptoms are likely to last. Healthier Together also supplies information and resources for primary care staff, including safety-netting and parent information sheets.

The programme has been rolled out across different regions in the UK

Caring for children with coughs leaflet

This leaflet was co-created by a diverse group of parents and University of Bristol researchers. It contains information addressing the four most common parental concerns for children with RTI with cough and safety-netting advice based on NICE guidelines. The leaflet was created under a creative commons licence (attribution) which means they can be used, reproduced and distributed by anyone as long as they are clearly attributed in any report or publication and cited as: Cabral, C. Ingram, J. Redmond, N. Horwood, J. Blair, P. Hollinghurst, S. Hay, A. Lucas P. 2016, ‘Caring for children with coughs: Information and advice for parents’. University of Bristol, Bristol. Foreign language translation of this leaflet are available from the University of Bristol website.

Antibiotics Don’t Cure Toothache

Part of the dental antimicrobial stewardship toolkit for primary care, this leaflet highlights why antibiotics don't cure toothache and provides safety netting advice.

Self-care forum fact sheets

The Self-Care Forum is dedicated to helping people take care of themselves and as such, have created a series of self-care fact sheets for common ailments which aim to help clinicians and patients discuss issues around self-care during consultation and especially how to handle the symptoms in the future.