When your throat hurts or a cough will not go, two questions come first: how long will this last, and when should I see a doctor. The UK National Health Service (NHS), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) usually answer both in days. We have set out those pages one by one, as written — 100 guides so far. This page lines all 100 up by part of the body, with the rule each guide puts in its title.
1. Most things get better on their own. On the NHS pages a cold usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks, a sore throat about a week, and a lingering cough 3 to 4 weeks.
2. The point to see someone is given in days. A cold with a fever past 3 days or a cough past 3 weeks, or flu no better after 7 days.
3. Some signs do not wait. A sore throat with trouble breathing or swallowing, sudden chest pain lasting 15 minutes, or a body temperature below 35C.
999, 111, GP and A&E are the UK emergency number, advice line, family doctor and emergency department. In Korea the emergency number is 119 (our note). How to choose between an emergency room and a local clinic in Korea is in ER or clinic.
Exercises for back, neck or knee pain, and how much exercise to do, are in the Exercise guide.
1. Nose, throat and chest (27 guides)
From colds and flu to pneumonia and asthma — the busiest section. Most pages give a number of days you can safely wait.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Common cold | Better in 1 to 2 weeks, no antibiotics; GP if fever lasts 3 days, cough 3 weeks | NHS |
| Flu | Sudden onset within hours, treatment at home, get help if no better after 7 days | NHS |
| Cold or flu? | Colds come on gradually, flu abruptly; flu fever lasts 3 to 4 days, but not everyone has one | CDC |
| Lingering cough | Usually 3 to 4 weeks; lemon and honey from age 1; see a GP after 3 weeks | NHS |
| Sore throat | Usually a week, antibiotics rarely needed, A&E for trouble breathing or swallowing | NHS |
| Tonsillitis | Usually 3 to 4 days, not contagious itself; GP after 1 week, A&E if you can't open your mouth | NHS |
| Laryngitis | Usually 1 to 2 weeks; don't shout or whisper; GP if no better after 2 weeks | NHS |
| Sinusitis | Common after a cold, usually clears in 4 weeks; salt-water rinses; antibiotics rarely | NHS |
| Catarrh | Usually a few days; salt water nose rinses up to 3 times a day | NHS |
| Strep A | Most get better in about a week, stay off 24 hours after starting antibiotics, urgent help at 38C under 3 months | NHS |
| Scarlet fever | Sandpaper rash 12 to 48 hours later, back 24 hours after the first antibiotic | NHS |
| Glandular fever | Better within 2 to 4 weeks; no strenuous exercise | NHS |
| Swollen glands | Usually 1 to 2 weeks; see a GP if not down after 1 week | NHS |
| Epiglottitis | Call 999, stay upright, Hib in the 6-in-1 vaccine at 8, 12, 16 weeks and 18 months | NHS |
| Chest infection | Usually 7 to 10 days, but the cough can last up to 3 weeks | NHS |
| Bronchitis | Usually better in 3 weeks; a cough past 3 weeks or blood in mucus needs urgent help | NHS |
| Bronchiolitis | Common under 2, worst on days 3 to 5, cough lasts 3 weeks; call 999 for pauses in breathing | NHS |
| Pneumonia | Most better in 2 to 4 weeks, no cough medicine, call if no better after 2 to 3 days of antibiotics, pneumococcal and flu vaccines over 65 | NHS |
| Pleurisy | Sharp chest pain when breathing in, usually better in a few days, 999 for sudden chest pain lasting 15 minutes | NHS |
| Whooping cough | Minutes-long coughing bouts, antibiotics within 3 weeks, 48 hours off, vaccine at 20 weeks of pregnancy | NHS |
| Croup | Usually better within 48 hours; sit them upright and calm them; no steam | NHS |
| RSV | 4 to 6 days after infection, over in 1 to 2 weeks, contagious 3 to 8 days | CDC |
| Asthma | 1 puff every 30 to 60 seconds up to 10, 999 if not better | NHS |
| COPD | GP if over 35 and smoke, pulmonary rehab for at least 6 weeks | NHS |
| Hay fever | Worse late March to September, lasts weeks or months unlike a 1 to 2 week cold, 6 dos and 6 don'ts | NHS |
| Pneumococcal vaccine | Who should have it, 1 dose at 65, babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, side effects | NHS |
| RSV vaccine | Pregnancy from 28 weeks, adults 75 and over, one dose, side effects | NHS |
2. Ears, eyes, mouth and teeth (16 guides)
Ears, eyes and mouth: here the guidance often starts with what not to do — no cotton buds, don't burst it.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Often better within 3 days, pharmacist for ages 1 to 17, GP for babies under 12 months | NHS |
| Earache | Painkillers and a warm flannel; no cotton buds; urgent help after 2 to 3 days | NHS |
| Earwax | Olive oil 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days, about 2 weeks, see someone after 5 days | NHS |
| Glue ear | Usually clears within 3 months, monitored up to a year, grommets fall out in 6 to 12 months | NHS |
| Tinnitus | Usually not serious; avoid total silence | NHS |
| Labyrinthitis | Balance back in 2 to 6 weeks, medicines for no more than 3 days | NHS |
| Earphone volume | Under 60% volume, 40 hours a week at 80dB, 4 hours at 90dB | WHO |
| Conjunctivitis | Usually clears in a couple of weeks; see a GP if not better in 7 days | NHS |
| Stye | Warm flannel 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to 4 times a day, don't burst it, usually a week | NHS |
| Dry eyes | Clean your eyelids daily, a warm flannel, and less time in heated rooms | NHS |
| Mouth ulcers | Usually 1 to 2 weeks; skip spicy, acidic and crunchy food; see a dentist after 3 weeks | NHS |
| Dry mouth | Rarely serious; take regular sips of cold water | NHS |
| Bad breath | Brush twice a day for 2 minutes, clean your tongue daily, don't rinse straight after | NHS |
| Cold sores | Antiviral cream at the first tingle, no kissing until healed, 10 days | NHS |
| Toothache | Painkillers and salt-water rinses until the dentist; avoid sweet, hot and cold food; dentist after 2 days | NHS |
| Toothbrushing | Twice a day for about 2 minutes, 1,350ppm fluoride, spit don't rinse | NHS |
3. Stomach, gut and bladder (12 guides)
Most stomach trouble passes in days; sudden, severe pain is listed as an emergency.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach ache | Most pass in a few days; sudden or severe pain means 999 | NHS |
| Indigestion | Don’t eat 3 to 4 hours before bed; see a GP if it keeps coming back | NHS |
| Heartburn and reflux | Smaller meals, nothing 3 to 4 hours before bed, raise the bed 10 to 20cm | NHS |
| Bloating | Eat smaller meals more often; see a GP if it keeps happening | NHS |
| Constipation | Fibre, fluids, a daily walk and a footstool; laxatives only briefly (no more than 7 days) | NHS |
| Diarrhoea and vomiting | Diarrhoea 5 to 7 days, vomiting 1 to 2; lots of fluids; stay home for 2 days after | NHS |
| Norovirus | Starts 12 to 48 hours after exposure, over in 1 to 3 days, contagious for 2 weeks or more | CDC |
| IBS | Pain worse after eating and better after a poo, GP after 4 weeks, 1.5 litres of fluid | NHS |
| Piles | Often better in a few days; no ibuprofen if bleeding; non-stop bleeding means 999 | NHS |
| Threadworms | Treat the whole household; hygiene steps for 2 weeks with medicine | NHS |
| Kidney stones | Side-to-groin pain, urgent help if symptoms, 2.5–3 litres of water a day | NHS |
| Cystitis and UTIs | Antibiotics aren't always needed; 65+, men, pregnancy or blood in urine need urgent care; no evidence for cranberry as treatment | NHS |
4. Skin, hair and nails (16 guides)
Many skin pages also say how long to stay off nursery, school or work.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Atopic eczema | Emollients at least twice a day, rub don't scratch, urgent help for blisters, pus or fever | NHS |
| Itchy skin | Pat, don't scratch; lukewarm water and unperfumed moisturiser; see a GP if it's all over or in pregnancy | NHS |
| Hives | Usually better in a few days; get seen if no better after 2 days | NHS |
| Chickenpox | Usually 1 to 2 weeks; stay off until every spot has scabbed | NHS |
| Shingles | A rash on one side; antivirals within 3 days | NHS |
| Hand, foot and mouth | Usually 7 to 10 days; no need to wait for blisters to heal | NHS |
| Measles | Infectious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash, stay off for 4 days | NHS |
| Mumps | Usually better within 2 weeks, stay off for 5 days after swelling starts, 2 MMR doses | NHS |
| Athlete's foot | Rarely clears alone; pharmacy antifungals for a few weeks; don't wear the same shoes 2 to 3 days running | NHS |
| Fungal nail infection | 6 to 12 months of treatment; cured when healthy nail grows back | NHS |
| Warts and verrucas | Usually go on their own but take months to years; pharmacy treatment up to 3 months, never on the face | NHS |
| Blisters | Don't burst it, cover it, leave the skin on, usually a week | NHS |
| Ingrown toenail | Warm salty water and wide shoes; don't cut it; trim straight across | NHS |
| Insect bites and stings | Scrape a stinger with a fingernail, lift a tick with fine tweezers | NHS |
| Head lice | Wet comb on days 1, 5, 9 and 13, check on day 17, no need to miss school | NHS |
| Dandruff | Not about hygiene, ketoconazole, coal tar, salicylic acid, try up to 4 weeks | NHS |
5. Muscles, joints and headaches (12 guides)
For muscles and joints the shared advice is to keep moving, and the point to see someone is often 2 weeks.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Back pain | Keep moving, not bed rest; anti-inflammatories, ice and heat; usually a few weeks | NHS |
| Neck pain | Most of it lasts a few weeks; a collar only if a doctor says so | NHS |
| Shoulder pain | It should start to improve in about 2 weeks; keep it moving gently | NHS |
| Knee pain | You should feel better in a few days; ice up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours | NHS |
| Tennis elbow | Outer elbow pain, GP after 2 weeks, physio at 6 weeks, most common at 35–54 | NHS |
| Plantar fasciitis | Heel pain on first steps, ice 20 minutes every 2–3 hours, see a GP after 2 weeks | NHS |
| Gout | Sudden big-toe pain, attacks last 1–2 weeks, ice 20 minutes, 14 units a week or less | NHS |
| Leg cramps | Seconds to 10 minutes; stretch and massage; wall calf stretch 3 times a day | NHS |
| Restless legs | No caffeine after midday, no alcohol 2 hours before bed | NHS |
| Frequent headaches | Water, rest, painkillers; don't oversleep or skip meals; see a doctor past 3 days a week | NHS |
| Migraine | Attacks last 4 hours to 3 days, aura within 1 hour, painkillers no more than 2 days a week | NHS |
| Dizziness | Lie down, then get up slowly; drink plenty; no driving or ladders while dizzy | NHS |
6. Cold weather and emergencies (8 guides)
Cold weather and emergencies: the don'ts — hot water, rubbing, butter — matter most here.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothermia | Below 35C is an emergency; remove wet clothes, wrap the head, no hot bath or rubbing | NHS |
| Frostbite | At 0C or below, fingers, toes, nose and ears; warm, not hot, water and no rubbing | NHS |
| Chilblains | Dry and warm slowly, no radiators or hot water, usually 2 to 3 weeks | NHS |
| Raynaud's | Fingers turn white, blue, then red in the cold; keep warm, cut caffeine; GP if it starts after 30 | NHS |
| Carbon monoxide poisoning | No smell or colour; headaches worse at home; switch off and get outside | NHS |
| Burns and scalds | Cool running water for 20 minutes within 3 hours, cling film, no butter or creams | NHS |
| Nosebleed | Lean forward, pinch 10 to 15 minutes, A&E if longer, take care for 24 hours | NHS |
| Sepsis | Symptoms in adults and children, when to call 999, treatment and post-sepsis syndrome lasting 6 to 18 months | NHS |
7. Sleep, mood and daily habits (9 guides)
Everyday yardsticks for sleep, mood and what you eat and drink, with the amounts as published.
| Condition | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia | Bed only when sleepy, the same wake time, no caffeine or alcohol 6 hours before; sleeping aids for 1 to 2 weeks | NHS |
| Snoring | Sleep on your side, lose weight, avoid smoking, alcohol and sleeping pills | NHS |
| Seasonal affective disorder | Comes in winter, goes in summer; daylight every day; 10,000 lux light therapy | NHS |
| Hiccups | Usually a few minutes, 6 things to try (no proof for everyone), see a GP after 48 hours | NHS |
| Vitamin D | 10 micrograms (400 IU) a day, adult upper limit 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) | NHS |
| Alcohol units | One unit is 10ml of alcohol, 14 a week, and the sum is ABV × ml ÷ 1,000 | NHS |
| Sugar | WHO free sugars under 10% (50g, 12 teaspoons at 2,000 calories), better at 5% or less | WHO |
| Salt | WHO's under 5g (2,000mg sodium), a world average of 11g, and label sodium × 2.5 as salt | WHO |
| Handwashing | Happy birthday twice, five steps, and sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol | CDC |
How to read it
The days are how long it is reasonable to wait. "Usually 1 to 2 weeks" means most people are better by then; "see a GP after 3 weeks" is the point the agency gives for seeing a doctor. If one of the emergency signs appears earlier, do not wait.
Babies and older people often have their own lines. A temperature of 38C under 3 months (Strep A), 65 and over (pneumonia, cystitis), under 2 (bronchiolitis) — if one applies, read that guide first.
Checklist
- ☐ Note the day symptoms started — every rule here is counted in days
- ☐ If there is a fever, the temperature and when you took it
- ☐ Baby, pregnancy or 65 and over: check the separate rule in that guide
- ☐ Trouble breathing or swallowing, or sudden chest pain: call the emergency number (119 in Korea)
Questions that remain
Why UK and US agencies?
The NHS, CDC and WHO publish condition pages for the public and give their advice in numbers — days, doses, times a day. We set out their wording as written, and each guide notes where Korean practice differs, such as the emergency number or medicine names.
Can I decide from this table alone?
No. This page and the guides it links set out general public guidance; they are not a diagnosis. If you are worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Are the figures current?
Each guide gives the review date of the original page and the date we read it. When an original changes we update the guide and this table together.
Sources
- Our 100 guides linked above — each cites the NHS, CDC or WHO page it sets out, with its review date and the wording quoted. The cells on this page are taken from each guide's title.
- Not read. Korean clinical guidelines and health insurance coverage are not in this table.
- What we added. The grouping by body area, the order and "How to read it".
Where else to check
- 119 in an emergency in Korea; otherwise a local clinic or pharmacy.
Written on 29 October 2026. The rules are taken from the linked guides; the grouping is ours. This is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment.
