Guidelines
437 entriesNDoH Primary Healthcare STG
- Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Related DisordersDescription General measures Referral O28.8-9/ O90.9 + (F28/F29/F53.0-1/F53.8-9) DESCRIPTION Bipolar disorders (BD): See Bipolar and related disorders for description and management in the perinatal period. Note that: BD may present with antenatal or postnatal depression, hypomania, mania or psychosis. the index episode often occurs postpartum – may be no prior history of mental illness. ri→
- Boil, AbscessBacterial Infections of the Skin→
- Boy's Weight for Age ChartBoy's Weight for Age Chart→
- BradycardiaDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: R00.1 Refer to Adult Hospital Level and Paediatric Hospital Level STGs and EML for relevant guidance. DESCRIPTION In adults, bradycardia refers to a pulse rate < 50 beats/ minute. In children, bradycardia refers to a pulse rate < 60 beats/ minute despite effective oxygenation and ventilation. GENERAL MEASURES Assess ABC:→
- Breakthrough Bleeding with Contraceptive UseDescription General Measures Referral N92.0/N92.1/N92.4 DESCRIPTION Breakthrough bleeding refers to unscheduled or irregular vaginal bleeding, which often presents as spotting, or prolonged or frequent bleeding in women using hormonal contraception. The pattern and duration of these unscheduled bleedings vary with the contraceptive method used. GENERAL MEASURES Before starting hormonal contracept→
- Breakthrough PainPain→
- BuboSexually Transmitted Infections→
- BurnsDescription Emergency Treatment Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: T30.0-3/T31.0-9 + (Y34.99) DESCRIPTION Burns lead to skin and soft tissue injury and may be caused by: heat, e.g. open flame, hot liquids, hot steam chemical compounds physical agents, (e.g. electrical/lightning) or radiation. The extent and depth may vary from superficial (epidermis) to full-thickness burns of the skin and→
- COVID-19: Corona Virus Disease-19Description General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 codes: U07.1/U07.2 Note: notifiable medical condition. Consult the most recent guidelines on the clinical management of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 disease available at: https://www.knowledgehub.org.za/content/covid-19 DESCRIPTION Viral respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-→
- Candidiasis, Oral &/or OesophagealPlease click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Primary Health Care - PHC Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficienc→
- Candidiasis, Oral (thrush)ICD-10 codes: B37.0 Description General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral DESCRIPTION A candida infection of the mouth and sometimes of the pharynx Commonly presents as painful creamy white patches that can be scraped off the tongue and buccal mucosa Often occurs in healthy babies up to one month of age Risk factors for candidiasis include: Poor oral hygiene Immunosuppression→
- Candidiasis, SkinFungal Infections of the Skin→
- Cardiac Arrest, AdultsDescription Covid-19 considerations General Measures Emergency Treatment Immediate Emergency Medicine Treatment Additional Guidance Referral ICD-10 code: I46.0/I46.9 Figure 21.1: Advanced cardiac arrest algorithm ( adapted with permission from the Resuscitation Council of South Africa ) Click on the image to enlarge. Figure 21.2: Advanced cardiac arrest algorithm - suspected respiratory communica→
- Cardiac Arrest, Cardio-Pulmonary ResuscitationCardiac Arrest, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation→
- Cardiac Failure, Congestive (CCF), AdultsCardiac Failure, Congestive→
- Cardiac Failure, Congestive (CCF), ChildrenCardiac Failure, Congestive (CCF)→
- Cardiopulmonary Arrest, ChildrenDescription General Measures Emergency Treatment Immediate Emergency Medicine Treatment Additional Guidance Referral ICD-10 code: I46.0/I46.9 Figure 21.3 Advanced cardiac arrest algorithm for children Click on image to enlarge DESCRIPTION Cardiopulmonary arrest is the cessation of respiration or cardiac function and in children is usually a pre-terminal event as a result of a critical illn→
- Cardiovascular Risk in DiabetesCardiovascular Risk in Diabetes→
- Care of Sick and Small NeonatesDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral DESCRIPTION Neonates can become ill very rapidly and signs of disease are often not readily appreciated unless specifically looked for. Neonates should be referred urgently. Neonates < 2.5 kg are at higher risk of feeding and growth problems and need careful follow-up. Urgently manage and refer neonates with any of the following signs of→
- Care of the HIV-Exposed infantSee: The HIV-exposed infant. Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2025-9_Version 1.0_26 March 2026 Chapter 6: Obstetrics and Gynaecology_6.6.4 Care of the HIV-exposed Infant→
- CellulitisBacterial Infections of the Skin→
- Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD)Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD)→
- Cerebral PalsyDescription General measures G80.0-4/G80.8-9 DESCRIPTION Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from an injury to the developing brain. The most common type of CP is hypertonia/spasticity (85%), followed by dyskinesia (7%), ataxia (4%), and hypotonia (3%). The distribution of motor impairment may be bilateral (as in diplegia, quadriplegia, or triplegia) or unilateral (as i→
- ChickenpoxDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 codes: B01.9/B01.8 DESCRIPTION A mild viral infection that presents 2–3 weeks after exposure, with: mild fever preceding the rash lesions beginning on the trunk and face, later spreading to the arms and legs small, red, itchy spots that turn into blisters and crusts. These stages may all be present at the same time. Chickenpox→
- Childhood Immunisation ScheduleThe contents of this chapter are based on the current recommendations from the National Advisory Group on Immunisation (NAGI). Immunisation schedule Catch-up doses Immunisation schedule Age of child Vaccine At birth OPV0 BCG 6 weeks OPV1 RV1 Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-HB-Hib)1 PCV1 10 weeks Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-HB-Hib)2 14 weeks RV2 Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-HB-Hib)3 PCV2 6 months Measles/Ru→
- Childhood malnutrition, including not growing well/growth faltering *New*ICD-10 codes: E40 / E41 / E42 / E43 / E44.0 / E44.1 / E45 / E46 In all children, check for malnutrition and anaemia: Plot the weight on the Road to Health chart/booklet. Look at the shape of the weight curve: Is the weight curve rising parallel to the reference lines? OR is it flattening? OR is there weight loss? Look for visible wasting. Look and feel for oedema of both feet. Look for palm→
- CholeraSee: Gastrointestinal conditions. Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Version 1.1_20 January 2025 Chapter 10: Infections and Related Conditions_10.3 Cholera→
- CholeraDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: A00.0-1/A00.9 Note: This is a notifiable condition. DESCRIPTION Very acute severe watery diarrhoea due to infection with Vibrio cholerae . Clinical features include: Rice water appearance of stools: no blood in stools no pus in stools no faecal odour possible vomiting rapid severe dehydration GENERAL MEASURES Rehydrate aggressi→
- Chronic AsthmaConditions with Predominant Wheeze→
- Chronic Cancer PainPain→
- Chronic HypertensionMedicine treatment Referral O10.0 Stop oral antihypertensive medicines when pregnancy is planned or as soon as pregnancy is diagnosed, change to methyldopa and refer for assessment and management. MEDICINE TREATMENT Methyldopa, oral, 250 mg 8 hourly. Titrate to a maximum dose: 750 mg 8 hourly. When using iron together with methyldopa, ensure that iron and methyldopa are not taken concurrently. Lo→
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)Structural or functional kidney damage→
- Chronic Lower Leg UlcersBacterial Infections of the Skin→
- Chronic Non-Cancer PainPain→
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Conditions with Predominant Wheeze→
- Common Cold (Viral Rhinitis)Ear, Nose and Throat Conditions→
- Common WartsWarts→
- Conditions with Predominant WheezeSee: Acute asthma & acute exacerbation of COPD, adults See: Acute asthma, children See: Chronic asthma See: Acute bronchiolitis in children See: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-4-Version 1.0_16 September 2024 Chapter 17→
- ConjunctivitisEye Conditions→
- Conjunctivitis of the NewbornConjunctivitis→
- Conjunctivitis, AllergicConjunctivitis→
- Conjunctivitis, Bacterial (Excluding Conjunctivitis of the Newborn)Conjunctivitis→
- Conjunctivitis, Viral (Pink Eye)Conjunctivitis→
- ConstipationGastrointestinal Conditions→
- ConstipationDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: K59.0 DESCRIPTION A condition characterised by a change in usual bowel habits, along with dry, hard stools. There is a decreased frequency of bowel action. Constipation may have many causes, including: incorrect diet (insufficient fibre and fluid) lack of exercise pregnancy old age medicines, e.g. opiates and anticholinergics i→
- Contraception, Barrier MethodsZ30.0 Condoms (male and female) alone are the least effective contraceptive method and should be used in combination with other contraceptive methods (e.g. copper IUCD). Condoms are recommended to reduce the risk of the acquisition of HIV infection and other STIs. Condoms (male and female) or other barrier methods may be an option for contraception where other methods are contraindicated. Click h→
- Contraception, EmergencyEmergency contraception after pregnancy is excluded Referral Z30.0/Z30.4 Emergency contraception is indicated to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse in women not using contraception or where contraception is likely to be ineffective: Forgotten tablets (See Missed pills (Contraception, hormonal) ) Slipped or broken condom Injectable contraception given late (>2 weeks for NET-E→
- Contraception, HormonalCAUTION Before starting hormonal contraception, advise women about the expected bleeding patterns, both initially and in the longer term. See Subdermal implant (Contraception, hormonal) . See Levonorgestrel intra-uterine device (LNG-IUD) (Contraception, hormonal) . See Injectable (Contraception, hormonal) . See Oral (Contraception, hormonal) . See Missed pills (Contraception, hormonal) . Cl→
- Corneal UlcerEye Conditions→
- Cotrimoxazole ProphylaxisPlease click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Primary Health Care - PHC Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficienc→