What to do if you're ill over Christmas

It happens to everyone at some point... You're looking forward to a few mince pies and the odd glass of prosecco, but come Christmas Day you're laid up with a mountain of tissues around you. So what should you do if you find yourself poorly over the festive period? Don't panic, for starters, because Dr Rosemary Leonard has the answers for a number of different situations.

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GP surgery - what to do if it's closed | Do I need to see a doctor? | Medication to stock up on over the festive period | Is Christmas food off limits? | How to stop bugs from spreading | Prescriptions - what to do if you run out | Should you travel when you're ill?

I feel dreadful but my GP surgery is closed for another three days. What should I do?

Even if you are sick on Christmas day, the doctors at your surgery will be covered by the local out-of-hours GP service. There will be a message on the surgery answering machine telling you how you can access this. Just ring your normal surgery number with a pen and paper ready to write down the telephone number. There may also be an 'urgent care' centre open in your local area. The best way to find out is to go onto the NHS website and go to the 'Find local services' box, then click on the 'Urgent care' tab. Alternatively, you can call 111 where you should be able to get medical advice – though be aware that this will be from someone just going through a computer protocol, not a trained doctor or nurse.

How do I know if I need to see a doctor or not?

Most GP surgeries now offer a telephone service where you can discuss your symptoms with a doctor who can then give you advice. If you do need to be seen, the doctor should be able to arrange this for you. So ring your surgery and explain that you are not sure whether you need to be seen or not, and ask for a telephone appointment.

Are there over-the-counter medications worth stocking up on for the holidays when all the local shops are shut?

I always make sure I have a good supply of paracetamol, good for flu-like symptoms, headaches and hangovers, plus some antihistamines such as cetirizine – allergic reactions are surprisingly common at Christmas, from touching greenery to using unfamiliar perfumed products. If you have children coming, then make sure you have these in liquid form.

Decongestants can be helpful for anyone who has a cold, but for sore throats and coughs some honey with lemon juice is my go-to remedy. The other thing to make sure you have is a selection of plasters and steri-strips. I usually also recommend keeping a couple of cold box packs in the freezer (the ones that you use for keeping cold boxes cool in the summer ) as these are excellent for sprains when people trip over on icy pavements. 

I'm getting over a stomach bug so I'm guessing that turkey and Christmas pudding are off limits. What festive foods can I have without making things worse?

If you are feeling sick at Christmas it’s generally a case of 'a little of what you fancy' so there is no need to avoid turkey or Christmas pudding, if you feel up to eating it. However, I would advise that you go gently on the booze, and keep your portions small.
 

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How can I stop the lurgy from spreading through the rest of the family?

Being anti-social is a good start! Keep yourself to yourself as much as possible, away from others – though I’d be the first to admit this isn’t always easy at Christmas! Always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap. Or, if this is difficult at work, use an anti-septic hand gel. Even if you do this, you are still likely to spread germs onto everything you touch, so wipe anything that you share, such as phones, keyboards and even doorknobs with anti-septic wipes. Finally, throw used tissues in a bin straight away – don’t ram them in your pocket where you will touch and re-infect your hands again!

I've run out of prescription medication and the local chemist is shut. What can I do?

First, get advice from the duty doctor covering your GP surgery (see above). With some medicines, such as statins, it will not matter if you miss a couple of days. However, if it is important that you continue with your medication, then there will be a chemist open somewhere in your locality for at least an hour on all bank holiday days. There will probably be a notice on your chemist's door where this is, or on your GP surgery's door. If you go the chemist with your empty pill packets, or, better still, the computer print-out that comes with your prescription, then you should be able to get a small emergency supply. However, the chemist will not be able to issue any controlled drugs, such as strong painkillers – for these you will have to get a prescription from the duty doctor.

I'm supposed to be travelling to spend part of the holidays with my family but I've got flu/norovirus/a chest infection. Can I still go?

It really depends how ill you feel. If you are constantly vomiting or running to the loo, or have such a high fever that all you want to do is curl up in bed, then it’s not sensible to travel. Considering that a high fever can be a sign of infection which may be contagious, this is even more important to consider if you are travelling in a closed environment, such as a plane or train. But if you are not feeling too bad then you may be able to go. I suggest you wait and see how you are on the day you are supposed to go – try and leave the decision as late as possible.

You can find more excellent information and advice from Dr Rosemary on her website.

Disclaimer: The information on our health pages is only intended as an informal guide and should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice. Gransnet would urge you to consult your GP before you begin any diet if you're concerned about your weight, have existing health conditions and/or are taking medication.

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