Preface ix Introduction and How to Use This Book xi About the Companion Website xxv Chapter 1 The Consultation 1 Requests for treatment 1 Developing consultation skills 7 Decision making and risk assessment 15 Record keeping and communication 16 Antimicrobial stewardship and consultation skills 18 Chapter 2 Respiratory Problems 29 Coughs and colds 29 Cough 45 Sore throat - pharmacy first 58 Acute sinusitis - pharmacy first 73 Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) 82 Respiratory symptoms for direct referral 91 Chapter 3 COVID- 19 and Long COVID 97 Covid- 19 97 Long COVID 104 Chapter 4 Gastrointestinal Tract Problems 113 Mouth ulcers 113 Heartburn 121 Indigestion 132 Nausea and vomiting 141 Motion sickness and its prevention 143 Constipation 146 Diarrhoea 160 Irritable bowel syndrome 173 Haemorrhoids 184 Chapter 5 Skin Conditions 197 Eczema/dermatitis 197 Acne 210 Common fungal infections 217 Cold sores 229 Excessive sweating - hyperhydrosis 233 Sunburn 235 Warts and verrucae 238 Infected insect bites - pharmacy first 245 Scabies 252 Dandruff 255 Psoriasis 259 Chapter 6 Painful Conditions 267 Musculoskeletal problems 267 Headache 290 Shingles - pharmacy first 308 Post- herpetic neuralgia 315 Herpes zoster vaccines 315 Toothache 317 Chapter 7 Women's Health 323 Uncomplicated urinary tract infection - pharmacy first 323 Urinary incontinence 334 Dysmenorrhoea 343 Premenstrual syndrome 350 Menorrhagia 352 Menopause 355 Vaginal thrush 366 Pharmacy contraception service 375 Desogestrel (DSG) OTC 381 Emergency hormonal contraception 388 Common symptoms in pregnancy 396 Chapter 8 Men's Health 403 Lower urinary tract symptoms 403 Erectile dysfunction 408 Hair loss 413 Chapter 9 Older People, Frailty and Falls Prevention 419 Frailty 420 Preventing falls 420 Contents vii Chapter 10 Eye and Ear Problems 427 Working in partnership with optometrists 427 Eye problems: the red eye 428 Eye problems: the dry eye 436 Common ear problems 443 Chapter 11 Childhood Conditions 451 Common childhood rashes and infections 451 Acute otitis media - pharmacy first 464 Impetigo - pharmacy first 477 Infantile colic 481 Teething 484 Nappy rash (napkin dermatitis) 484 Head lice 490 Threadworm (pinworm) 496 Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) 501 Chapter 12 Insomnia and Mental Wellbeing 511 Insomnia 511 Mental wellbeing 519 Suicidal thoughts and suicide prevention 523 Chapter 13 Prevention of Heart Disease 531 What is cardiovascular disease? 532 What is cardiovascular disease risk? 533 Community pharmacy blood pressure check service 540 Smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy 543 Physical activity, diet and weight 547 Chapter 14 Malaria Prevention 559 Significance of questions and answers 560 Practical points 566 Chapter 15 Pharmacogenomics 569 Pharmacogenomics in the pharmacy 569 Appendix: Summary of Symptoms for Direct Referral 581 Index 583.