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This section is a technical artefact captured from the 2013 archive of the former NHS Direct website, which was built on the Sitecore content management system. The pages are retained here only as structural references and do not contain current information.
Get advice about your symptoms
If you are unwell and unsure what to do, use one of the routes below. They are free and available across the UK, and can direct you to the right service.
- Check your symptoms online at 111.nhs.uk
- Call 111 for free 24-hour advice from NHS 111
- Speak to a pharmacist for advice on minor problems — no appointment needed
- Contact your GP for non-urgent medical problems
Call 999 immediately in a life-threatening emergency — for example loss of consciousness, severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding or a suspected stroke.
Explore this section
Choose a topic from the list below for more detail. Every page on NHS Direct is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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