Especially when it is affecting sleep, breathing, work or daily functioning.
A consultation can help assess severity, hydration, examination findings and whether further testing is useful.
Symptoms can be viral, allergic or bacterial and the pattern matters.
A second phase of illness may deserve reassessment rather than simply repeating the same treatment.
What the GP may consider
The next step depends on the clinical picture.
Primary care combines history, examination and targeted investigation where appropriate. The goal is not to test everything, but to answer the right clinical questions.
Timing, fever pattern, breathing symptoms, exposures, allergies and other medical conditions.
Throat, ears, chest and relevant observations may help narrow the cause.
Blood tests, swabs or imaging may be considered when the clinical picture warrants it.
Persistent or changing symptoms may need review even after initial treatment.
Seek urgent medical assessment for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, collapse, confusion, severe chest pain or another rapidly worsening emergency. If you are unsure and symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, seek urgent medical assessment.
Book a consultation
Online information cannot replace an examination when one is needed.
Book an in-person or teleconsultation with the Bryanston practice and let the doctor guide the next step.
Condition enquiry
Still unsure what your symptoms mean?
Describe what is concerning you and the practice can help guide whether an in-person consultation, teleconsultation or another route is appropriate.
Please do not use this form or WhatsApp for emergencies or send unnecessary sensitive medical information in an initial enquiry.