Self help information for patients: diarrhoea & vomiting, coughs and colds

Diarrhoea and vomiting

The NHS advice is:

Diarrhoea usually stops within 5-7 days.

Vomiting usually stops within 1-2 days.

  • Stay at home, drink lots of fluid, eat when you feel able to, take paracetamol if in discomfort.
  • Seek help if symptoms are ongoing for longer than the above timelines or if you can’t keep any fluids down.
  • The pharmacy can recommend over the counter medicines that can help as a first step.

Colds and coughs

  • Seek help if cold symptoms are ongoing for more than 10 days and you have a cough for more than 3 weeks.
  • Also seek help if you have a fever for more than 3 consecutive days.
  • The pharmacist should be able to assist you with over the counter medicine during the above timescales.

23/10/2025