Gastro Treatment
Gastroenteritis or gastro is a common and contagious digestive illness. Consult an AHPRA-licensed online doctor within 15 minutes for medical advice, online prescriptions and more for gastro. 24/7 telehealth appointments available Australia-wide.
Registered Australian General Practitioners
Within 15 minutes, 24/7
100% online & secure
400K+ Aussie customers
Over 1M consults
Highly-rated telehealth service
When to consult a doctor for gastro?
The mild form of gastro will resolve itself with ample rest, proper diet and copious intake of fluids. But for more severe gastro, it is important to see a doctor for gastroenteritis to treat the disease at the onset of the symptoms and to ensure it does not spread to other people living around you. Consult a doctor for gastro if:
- Severe symptoms: If vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a few days, or if symptoms suddenly worsen.
- Dehydration: Symptoms like dry mouth, excessive thirst, dark or reduced amount of urine, dizziness, weakness, or confusion.
- High fever: A fever over 38.9°C (102°F) that doesn’t improve, especially if accompanied by chills or body aches.
- Severe abdominal pain: Intense stomach pain that’s constant or worsening.
- Blood in vomit or stool: Blood may appear bright red or dark red, indicating possible bleeding.
- Recent travel: If symptoms begin after traveling, especially to regions with poor sanitation, this could indicate a parasitic or serious bacterial infection.
- High-risk group: Infants, elderly individuals, or those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to complications and should seek help early on.
Get an online doctor’s consultation for treatment, antibiotics, or medical advice instantly.
Gastro treatment options
How telehealth with an online doctor works for gastro treatment?
Telehealth appointments help patients in rural/remote areas, patients with mobility issues and older people and provide the convenience of speaking to a doctor without worrying about appointments and from the comfort of their home. Get instant scripts, online medical certificates, online referrals, mental health care plans and pharmacy delivery quickly and easily by using telehealth services. Here’s how you can get a virtual doctor’s appointment:
- Choose the type of consultation you need and fill in your details
- Make payment through a secure payment gateway
- Discuss your condition with a telehealth doctor and receive medical advice
- If warranted, your online doctor may issue instant scripts or online referrals or an online medical certificate.
As seen in:
Popular searches
About gastro
Gastroenteritis, commonly known as gastro, is a contagious illness that affects the stomach and intestines. It’s commonly caused by infections (viral, bacterial, or parasitic) or reactions to foods and medications. This is a common infection that occurs across all ages. Proper care should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease when affected. Some of the common causes for gastro are:
- Viral infections: This is the most common cause, with viruses like norovirus and rotavirus being typical culprits. Viral gastroenteritis spreads easily.
- Bacterial infections: Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter can also cause gastro. Food poisoning from improperly cooked or contaminated foods is a common source.
- Parasitic infections: Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium can lead to gastroenteritis, often from drinking contaminated water.
- Food intolerance: Some people may experience gastro-like symptoms if they consume foods, they’re intolerant to, such as lactose or gluten
- Medications: Certain medications, particularly antibiotics, can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the gut
Gastro symptoms
Gastro symptoms can vary from person to person and in severity. Usually these are the symptoms that are affecting the digestive system in some way such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Fever if its viral or bacterial
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches or body aches
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ammar AL-ANI, MBChB, CCBST, AMC
Frequently asked questions
How can we prevent gastro?
Preventing gastroenteritis requires maintaining good hygiene practices such as washing hands frequently, ensuring food safety from contamination, drinking clean water and staying home when sick. Understanding gastroenteritis and mitigating the causes will help in controlling the disease.
How to manage gastro symptoms at home?
Here are some home remedies for gastro which will help manage the illness.
- Stay hydrated with oral rehydration, coconut water and diluted fruit juices
- Eliminate gas producing foods
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, spices and excessively fatty foods
- Regulate your stress
- Use some over-the-counter relief
Can an online doctor help with gastro through a telehealth appointment if the GP near me is unavailable?
Yes, an online doctor can help diagnose your condition when the GP near you is unavailable. During a telehealth appointment, you can discuss your symptoms, ask for medical advice and seek instant scripts or medical certificates online. No need to even search for ‘doctors near me’ and travel all the way to the clinic when suffering from gastro, you can speak to a licensed doctor from the comfort of your home within 15 minutes, 24/7.
How to tell the difference between gastroenteritis and food poisoning?
Gastroenteritis and food poisoning share similar symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps, making them easy to confuse. However, the two conditions have distinct differences.
Gastroenteritis is generally caused by viral infections like norovirus or rotavirus and spreads through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, with symptoms appearing within 1–3 days after exposure. Food poisoning, on the other hand, typically results from consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria (such as Salmonella or E. coli), parasites, or toxins, and symptoms often develop quickly, usually within hours.
Can I get a medical certificate online for gastro?
Yes, you can get a medical certificate online for gastroenteritis from AHPRA-registered medical practitioners within 15 minutes. An online doctor will review your condition and issue a sick note if you are unable to attend work, school/university due to gastro.
Can I get instant scripts for gastro?
Yes, you can get an online prescription for gastro if the virtual doctor assessing you deems it necessary. Online scripts are available 24/7 making it convenient and easy for patients to access them after-hours, during weekends and holidays. After a short telehealth consultation with a licensed medical practitioner, your instant scripts will be sent through an SMS, if warranted. These eScripts can be dispensed at a pharmacy nearby or uploaded to a pharmacy online for medicine delivery.
Conditions telehealth consults are available for:
Sexual health
And more
Mental health
And more
Chronic conditions
Everyday care
And more
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Speak to a health practitioner in just 15 minutes. Please note that some conditions and prescriptions may not be available.
