A Longford GP says the majority of the viral infections affecting people in recent weeks can't be treated with antibiotics, but will go away by themselves.
Dr Padraig McGarry says antibiotics won't be prescribed for the vast majority of the illnesses with the exception of some cases where there may be a serious underlying health condition.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show today the GP says most people can treat themselves effectively with paracetamol and hot drinks which will offset the worst of the symptoms.
He says the majority of people will begin to feel a little better after a week or so, but if symptoms like a cough or high temperatures persist these should be checked out with a healthcare provider.
'They usually peak after about a week, but certainly with some of the symptoms such as a cough , that can go on for three weeks.
So if you have a cough post viral infection, it doesn't necessairly mean that that infection is still there.
Your airways are inflamed and it will by and large settle after three weeks.
If it isn't settling, or if you're getting deteriorating respiratory problems , if you're getting difficulty breathing , they're the things you should be following up to make sure that you're not dealing with something else, similarly if you have a persisting temperature then it's time to contact one of your healthcare providers.'
