Go and see your pharmacist

Why am I always ill? | Coughs, colds and viruses | Always rundown

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If you feel run down and can't shake something off, then your local pharmacy should be the first port of call.

'Write down a list of your symptoms and then go and talk to your pharmacist,' recommends Kathleen McGrath. 'Your average GP doesn't want to see people who have a cold, plus you'll only infect other patients in the waiting room.'

Highly trained and underrated

Dr Chris Steele agrees. 'Pharmacists are grossly underused and I don't understand why. They're highly trained professionals and you don't need an appointment to see them.'

'If they don't know what's wrong with you or are worried about any of your symptoms, they'll tell you to go and see your doctor immediately.'

And if you take your prescriptions to the same place, it could well help you. 'Many pharmacists know their customers as well as the doctor and could pick up on something simply by knowing what regular medication you're on,' says Dr Chris.

So the message is, don't immediately reach for the phone to make a doctor's appointment - head to your local pharmacy instead.

- Do you really need to see the doctor

By Rob Mansfield