In both adults and older children, diarrhoea and vomiting is usually caused by a viral infection and will get better on its own. You will need to increase your fluid intake – to replace the extra loss due to both vomiting and diarrhoea. You will often lose your appetite but even if you don’t it is best not to eat for 24 hours. After this you should start eating small amounts of bland food and build up gradually. If you feel you are becoming dehydrated please discuss this with a doctor. Babies and very young children with diarrhoea need careful attention to prevent dehydration. If you have any doubts then request advice from the surgery.

Most of these will respond to simple painkillers such as paracetamol and gradually increasing exercise. If your symptoms do not appear to be getting better please see a doctor. Good posture is often very important in relieving symptoms, sit upright with good support for the lower back.

In the event of the above, first clean the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop any bleeding hold a handkerchief firmly over the wound for about five minutes, then cover the wound with a clean dry dressing. If you have not had a tetanus injection in the last ten years then you should arrange to see the practice nurse on the next working day

Symptoms include runny noses, cough and a temperature. They are caused by viruses and antibiotics are therefore of no use in their treatment. Symptoms will improve spontaneously but can be unpleasant. Paracetamol will help reduce the temperature and ease the symptoms. It is important to rest and stay well hydrated – drink plenty of cool fluids – don’t worry if you lose your appetite for a few days.

Rest, ice, compression and elevation (if a lower limb or hand) will help. Tubigrip or equivalent from the chemist can be used during the day but should be removed at night. Simple Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for 2-3 days will help ease symptoms

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area immediately and continue this until the pain subsides (this may take longer than you think). If the skin is unbroken, but blistered – apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than a few inches, or if the skin is broken, then go to the Accident and Emergency Department at hospital. Likewise if you think you may have inhaled a lot of smoke.

Should preferably be avoided by covering up with loose cool clothing and using appropriate sun screens. Sunburn should be treated with cool water to remove the heat. Paracetamol can ease the discomfort.

Wash these with cold water. Bees leave their ‘sting’ in your skin and this needs to be scraped off the skin. Antihistamines can be bought directly from the chemists and will help reduce the severity of symptoms. If you experience a severe reaction which can include wheezing and difficulty breathing– this is an emergency and you should attend Accident and Emergency immediately.

Increasingly common in schools these days and those with the cleanest hair seem to get them more often! Treatment for head lice and advice on how to use it is easily available from the chemist, but it can be quite toxic and should only be used where live moving lice are seen on that person.

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches 3-4 mm across. This often follows a few days of high temperature and generalised illness. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear within these patches. Over the next few days more patches will appear and the older ones will become crusty and yellow, and then fall off. The spots are very itchy – but can scar if you scratch them. Calamine lotion will help calm down the itch, and cool baths can help. The most infectious period is just before the rash occurs and up to five days afterwards. Children can go back to school as soon as the crusts fall off.

You may have pain when passing water, combined with increased frequency of urination and a fever. Low back pain can also be experienced. Diagnosis is easily made by analysing a urine specimen. Drink plenty of clear fluids (water with ½ a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda can ease the stinging) and bring a urine sample with you to the surgery.

To many people, the time of flowering bulbs, the FA Cup final, school exams and Wimbledon brings with it watery eyes, sneezing, headaches and wheeziness. Fortunately, eye drops, antihistamines and nasal sprays are all available to combat the symptoms and are available over the counter from your local pharmacy. Long acting steroid injections for hay fever are not really recommended any more except in extreme circumstances.