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This page contains information about some common illnesses which can often be treated successfully at home without the need to see a doctor. This information is provided for guidance only, if you are in any doubt about whether medical care is required, please contact the surgery for further advice.

Diarrhoea and / or vomiting sometimes associated with a fever and stomach cramps which comes on suddenly in an otherwise healthy person. This is usually caused by a simple virus infection which is either caught from someone or from food.

No. In otherwise healthy adults and children it is not usually serious and will get better by itself quickly in two days. As it is a viral infection, antibiotics make no difference. Usualy there is no need to see a doctor as there is nothing that he or she could do that you cannot do for yourself.

1. Stop eating for 24 hours. This gives your insides a rest and enables them to heal themselves.

2. Take frequent sips of simple clear fluids for 24 hours, the best is lemonade or Lucozade (not the sugar free variety) which you stir to get rid of the fizz before drinking. Bottle fed babies should have this instead of milk for 24 hours, breast fed babies should have it in addition to normal feeds.

4. Take paracetamol regularly to reduce pain and fever if necessary. Follow the dose instructions on the packet.

5. After 24 hours you should feel much better. You can then eat simple dry foods (biscuits, dry toast) and plenty more fluids for another 24 hours. Babies can go straight back to milk, others should avoid dairy products. After this you should be back to normal and can eat normally.

5. If there is any suspicion of dehydration; signs include confusion / disorientation / failure to respond normally to surroundings; not passing water or wetting nappies; great thirst which cannot be quenched immediately.

7. See the doctor immediately if any person with vomiting or flu symptoms develops a violet or brown rash which does not fade with pressure, or develops confusion / disorientation / failure to respond normally to their surroundings.

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Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI's) are almost always caused by a virus. They can cause a fever and a variety of symptoms including dry cough, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat and headaches as well as making you feel generally weak and unwell. Usually a URTI gets better by itself in 5 to 7 days.

No. The vast majority get better as above. As they are caused by a virus, antibiotics are of no help. Usually there is no need to see a doctor as there is nothing that he or she can do that you cannot do yourself. Occasionally URTI's can lead to a more serious problem for which you need to see a doctor - see below.

What can you do for yourself or your child?

1. Rest in a well ventilated room.

2. Take plenty of fluids.

3. Take paracetamol regularly to relieve pain and fever.

4. Steam inhalations and sips of warm juice can also help. Salt water gargles can relieve sore throat discomfort.

5. Do not smoke

6. If you need time off work then you should fill in a Self-Certificate obtained from your employer for the first week. Only if you need to be off for longer than a week do you need to see a doctor for a sick note.

When should you or your child see a doctor?

1. if the symptoms are rapidly worsening or persist for more than one week.

2. If you develop pain in your ears or sinuses.

3.If you start coughing up green or yellow spit or blood.

4. If you start passing little or no urine or stop drinking.

5. Contact the doctor immediately if any person with vomiting or flu symptoms develops a violet or brown rash which does not fade with pressure, or confusion / disorientation / failure to respond normally to their surroundings.

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Influenza or 'Flu'

What is it?

Many ordinary colds are often described as 'flu'. However, real 'flu' (properly called influenza) is a much rarer condition which occurs in epidemics in some winters only.The main symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat and a cough, which usually start to go by themselves after about a week.

Is it serious?

For most people the answer is no. As it is a virus, antibiotics are of no use and it is not usually necessary to see the doctor as there is nothing he or she can do to help that you cannot do yourself. Occasionally, it can be more serious (particularly in the very young or very old) and there is more advice available below.

What can you do to help yourself or your child?

1. Rest in a well ventilated room

2. Take plenty of fluids and take small amounts of appetising foods.

3. Take paracetamol regularly to relieve fever, headaches and aches.

4. If you need time off work then you need to fill in a self-certificate obtained from your employer for the first week. Only if you need to be off longer than a week do you need to see the doctor for a sick note.

When should you or your child see the doctor?

1. If any of the symptoms are progressively worsening or if there is no improvement after seven days.

2. If you start coughing up green or yellow spit or blood, or if you become short of breath.

3. If a CHILD develops any of the following then contact the doctor immediately; drinking little and / or passing little water; chest or breathing problems described above; child becomes confused / disorientated / does not react normally to their surroundings.