Infectious diseases
Despite the success of vaccines and antimicrobial treatments, infectious diseases are estimated to be responsible for 7% of UK hospital admissions and are one of the most common reasons for attending primary care.
Pharmacists can help stop the spread of infectious diseases by recognising their signs and symptoms and providing information on infection control. They can also advise on best practice for the duration, use and selection of antimicrobials to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner, while accounting for antimicrobial resistance factors.
Our collection of infectious diseases content has been organised into six categories that can be accessed via the icons above or the subject collections below. These cover the most common conditions, medicines and vaccine use, and antimicrobial resistance and stewardship. You can also take the self-assessment quiz to test your knowledge and help identify areas of interest.
If you have further topics that you would like to see included in the infectious diseases collection, please contact the research and learning team.
Antimicrobial resistance and stewardship
Everything you need to know about the NHS antibiotic subscription model
Advantages and disadvantages of shorter antimicrobial courses
Sepsis: diagnosis and management
MRSA: diagnosis, screening and management
How pharmacists can contribute to effective antimicrobial reviews
Cystic fibrosis: management and monitoring of respiratory manifestations
Bacterial infections
Identification and management of common eye disorders
Rashes in children
Hidradenitis suppurativa: identification, symptoms and management
Sepsis: diagnosis and management
MRSA: diagnosis, screening and management
Cellulitis: recognition and management
Bacterial conjunctivitis: diagnosis and management
Cold, flu and minor ailments
Allergic rhinitis: diagnosis and treatment
Supported content
Croup: diagnosis and management
How to identify and manage prolonged acute and chronic cough in pre-school children
Rhinosinusitis: symptoms, diagnosis and management in community pharmacy
Case-based learning: acute diarrhoea
The impact of a community pharmacy cough, cold and flu service on antibiotic prescribing and its acceptability
Evaluation of a community pharmacy service for uncomplicated urinary tract infection
Medicines use and vaccination
A bumpy road for pharmacy in 2024
Maternal vaccination: rationale, recommendations and role of pharmacists
Dose adjustments of antimicrobials in patients with renal impairment
Dose adjustments of antimicrobials in patients with hepatic impairment
Understanding mRNA vaccine technologies
How to address vaccine hesitancy
Tetanus: symptoms, treatment and vaccination
Sexually transmitted diseases
PrEP pilot underway in five community pharmacies across south west England
Genital herpes: diagnosis and treatment
How to diagnose and manage Trichomonas vaginalis
Chlamydia: screening, diagnosis and management
Gonorrhoea infection: diagnosis and treatment
Antibiotic treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium infection
Viral infections
Identification and management of common eye disorders
Sepsis: diagnosis and management
Chickenpox: symptoms, treatment and potential complications
Managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
Evaluating clinical pharmacist involvement in a COVID-19 intensive care recovery clinic
Differential diagnosis: cold, flu or COVID-19?
