Common symptoms
- Cough or sore throat
- Fever and body aches
- Phlegm or wheeze
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue and poor appetite
Risk factors
- Older age
- Diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease
- Smoking or pollution
- Reduced immunity
- Sick contacts or outbreaks
When to consult a doctor
- Symptoms persist, recur or affect daily life
- A test report is abnormal or difficult to interpret
- Current treatment is not working or causes side effects
- Several health conditions or medicines need coordination
How the condition is assessed
Timing, exposures, breathing and medical risk are reviewed with temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and chest examination when needed.
Possible investigations
- Often none for mild viral illness
- Blood tests when severity is uncertain
- Chest X-ray for possible pneumonia
- Targeted pathogen testing when useful
Tests are selected according to symptoms, examination and individual risk. Not every person needs every investigation listed.
General treatment approach
Care may include fluids, fever relief and symptom management. Antibiotics are used when bacterial infection is likely or confirmed; severe illness may need hospital care.
Lifestyle considerations
- Rest and hydrate
- Avoid smoke
- Do not self-start leftover antibiotics
- Follow hygiene and vaccination guidance
Warning signs requiring urgent care
- Severe breathlessness
- Blue lips, confusion or fainting
- Chest pain or coughing blood
- Low oxygen or inability to drink
If a warning sign is present, do not wait for a routine appointment. Seek urgent assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does coloured phlegm require antibiotics?+
No. Colour alone does not reliably identify bacterial infection.
When is an X-ray needed?+
It depends on examination, oxygen level, duration and risk.
