Gastroenteritis

When to get medical advice

Source: NHS

In this topic (8)

You don't normally need to see your GP if you think you have gastroenteritis, as it should get better on its own.

Visiting your GP surgery can put others at risk, so it's best to callNHS 111 or your GP if you're concerned or feel you need advice.

Get medical advice if:

  • you have symptoms of severe dehydration , such as persistent dizziness , only passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or if you're losing consciousness
  • you have bloody diarrhoea
  • you're vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids
  • you have a fever over 38C (100.4F)
  • your symptoms haven't started to improve after a few days
  • in the last few weeks you've returned from a part of the world with poor sanitation
  • you have a serious underlying condition, such as kidney disease , inflammatory bowel disease or a weak immune system, and have diarrhoea and vomiting

Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of yourpoo to a laboratory to check what's causing your symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if this shows you have a bacterial infection.

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When to get medical advice

You don't normally need to see your GP if you think you have gastroenteritis, as it should get better on its own. Visiting your GP surgery can put others at risk, so it's best to callNHS 111 or your