Infections and Acute Care

Point-of-care flu tests don't lower antibiotic prescribing, study finds

Tests also have no effect on admission or return visits, finds research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Patients to set agenda for heart failure research

People with advanced heart failure, their carers, families and friends are being asked to help set the priorities for future research into the condition.

Oral steroids are not effective for most children with glue ear

Study finds no evidence of important benefits in 2-8 year olds with prolonged glue ear.

Our research focuses on more effective ways of diagnosing and treating patients with serious and common infections in primary care.

Our research on infections and acute care aims to find out how we can identify patients with serious infection in primary care, and more effective ways of diagnosing and treating patients with common infections and serious, short-term illnesses.

Our research focuses on some of the most conditions patients present to their GP with, aligned with national and international priorities in healthcare. For example, we are investigating more effective interventions to treat common colds and influenza-like illness, as well as looking at how the use of antibiotics can be reduced through more effective prescribing in primary care.

In children, we are particularly interested in improving the evidence base to support primary care professionals to manage a range of common diseases and more serious conditions, from vaccines for whooping cough to early interventions for "at risk" children with influenza-like illness.