RHCG - What should I do if I feel unwell?

What should I do if I feel unwell?

It can be confusing to know what to do when you are unwell. Here is some advice to help.

Remember: if you are unwell, seek advice and medical attention

When should I get help?

If you experience any of the following:

Pale, mottled skin and feeling abnormally cold to the touch.
Severe breathing difficulty - going blue or breathless to talk / eat / drink.
A fit/seizure (unless these are expected for you).
Become extremely confused, difficult to wake or unresponsive.
Develop a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass test’).
Severe testicular pain
If you have seriously harmed yourself, please tell an adult and seek urgent medical help.

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department or phone 999

If you experience any of the following:

Finding it hard to breathe but can still talk in full sentences / eat and drink.
Dehydration (feeling very thirsty, sunken eyes or no wee for 12 hours).
Becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy), irritable or confused.
Shivering or muscle pain without an obvious explanation.
A fever of 38°C or above for more than 5 days.
Persistent vomiting.
Worsening or persistent abdominal pain.
Blood in your poo or wee.
Increasingly thirsty and weeing more.
Any limb injury causing reduced movement or persistent pain.
Head injury causing persistent pain or drowsiness.
You are getting worse or if you are worried.

Immediately contact your GP and make an appointment to be seen that day or call NHS 24 - dial 111.

We recognise that during the current COVID-19 crisis, at peak times, access to a healthcare professional may be delayed. If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 24, then consider going to your nearest Emergency Department.

If none of the above features are present:

If you have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (high temperature, new continuous cough or loss of taste/smell) stay at home and arrange to be tested via the NHS testing website or by calling 119. You and anyone in your support bubble must remain at home (isolate) until your test results are back.
If you have been burned, visit: https://safetea.org.uk/first-aid/ for first aid advice and for information about when to seek medical attention.

Continue to recover at home.

If you are still concerned, contact NHS 111 - visit 111.nhs.uk or dial 111.

Where can I get help?

Self Care

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.

Self-care

You can treat your very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Young people can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if your condition gets worse.

Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare. They are the first port of call for minor ailments and can provide advice and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets.

Pharmacy First is a free service. You do not need an appointment and many pharmacies have a private consultation area.

Your pharmacist will let you know if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

Visit a pharmacy if you are ill, but do not need to see a GP.
Remember that if your condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.

GP (General Practitioner)

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to the Emergency Department.
For minor injuries such as cuts that need stitches, broken bones, sprains and minor burns, go to one of our Minor Injury Units (MIU).

NHS 24

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 24 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.

Emergency Department

Emergency departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

Many visits to the Emergency Department and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services.
If your condition is not critical, choose another service to get the best possible treatment.

Content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative

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Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 27 March 2023

Next review: 31 March 2026

Reviewer Name(s): Dr Morag Wilson; Dr Geetika Kumar