When to refer

There are certain symptoms that should ring alarm bells. Get your pharmacist involved if a customer is under six years of age, is pregnant or breastfeeding, or reports any of the following:

• Coughing up mucus or phlegm that is not clear or white, or coughing up blood – these are signs of a complication such as a chest infection
• Signs of other complications such as sinusitis or an ear infection
• A health problem that means they are more likely to suffer complications, for example, someone with a long-term condition or a weakened immune system because of chemotherapy or other treatment
• A high fever that will not go down, or lasts several days
• Sudden deterioration, worsening or persisting symptoms
• Finding it hard to breathe or chest pain
• Symptoms that have lasted longer than three weeks
• Being on other medication.

Signposting

For more information, you can: 

• Use your Counter Intelligence Plus training guide.
• Visit the NHS website.
• Visit Scotland's NHS Inform website. 
• Read the NICE clinical knowledge summary.