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General Physician

Guides on fever, cough, infections, tiredness and everyday illness, and on knowing when a symptom needs a doctor.

  • 25 Guides
Latest Guide

Home Remedies for Cough That Won't Go Away

A relentless cough that lingers for days or weeks can be tiring and worrying. For this reason, many people first turn to home remedies for cough for relief. Some simple,

8 min read

Weakness After Fever: Why It Lasts and How to Recover Fast

The fever is gone, the thermometer reads normal, but your body still feels heavy and slow. This is very common, and if you are feeling this

6 min read

Fever for 3 Days and Not Coming Down? Here Is When to See a Doctor

A fever that won’t break for days on end can be unsettling. You take paracetamol, rest, drink plenty of fluids, yet the thermometer barely moves.

6 min read

Typhoid: Types, Causes, and Prevention Tips

Typhoid is a disease of varying consequences, but can also be life-threatening. It is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. It is more likely to spread

3 min read

OTC Cold Medicines

Introduction Cold and flu season is challenging for many people as the common cold onsets are frequent. However, OTC cold medicines relieve cold symptoms and make

4 min read

Which Doctor to Consult for Fever Treatment?

What is Fever? When your body temperature exceeds 99°F to 99.5°F (37.2°C to 37.5°C), it is termed a fever.

4 min read

7 Warning Signs of Dengue Fever

Introduction The bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmits a viral disease called dengue fever. The symptoms of dengue fever include a high temperature and influenza-like symptoms.

4 min read

Everything One Must Know About Dengue Fever

Overview Dengue is an illness caused by the dengue virus, transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes species. It can affect people of all ages. Signs of

5 min read

6 Foods to Avoid During Cough

Introduction: Coughing is a reflex that the body uses to clear mucus from the airways. Allergies, infections, or respiratory issues can cause it. Coughing expels foreign

4 min read

How to Increase Platelets in Dengue?

Introduction Platelets aid in the healing of wounds and prevention of blood loss via coagulation (forming of blood clots). The platelet count is the number of

4 min read

10 Best Cough Syrups You Must Know About

Introduction When something irritates your throat or airways, your body will respond by coughing. An irritant activates nerves in your body that communicate with your brain.

6 min read

Foods to eat and avoid in Dengue

Dengue is a vector-borne illness caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically the Aedes species such as Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. Dengue is

3 min read

10 Foods to Have When You Have Dengue Fever

The dengue virus induces a disease called dengue fever which renders the body very weak. Recovering from the disease requires delicate care and a very strict

3 min read

6 Powerful Foods To Eat To Naturally Fight Fatigue Post Covid

The effects of Covid-19 vary depending on each person as well as the level of treatment that occurred during the disease. Post-Covid syndrome can include things

3 min read

Recover from Fever With These Foods

Foods that will help you get well soon During a fever, you don’t feel like eating anything due to a loss of appetite. Even your

2 min read

What Are The Stages of Typhoid Fever: A Guide To Enteric Fever

What are The Stages of Typhoid Fever? Typhoid is a fever that results from the absence of hygiene. And that is why it is very common

3 min read

About General Physician

When something feels off and you are not sure who to see, a general physician is usually the right first call. They look at the whole picture, treat most common illnesses themselves, and tell you honestly when you need a specialist.

When to See a General Physician

  • A fever that lasts more than three days, or keeps coming back
  • A cough that is still there after three weeks, or a cold that is getting worse instead of better
  • Tiredness, weight loss or loss of appetite without an obvious reason
  • Burning while passing urine, or vomiting or loose motions that make it hard to keep fluids down
  • Diabetes, blood pressure or thyroid that needs regular review

Online or In-Clinic?

Many first conversations work well online: describing symptoms, reviewing your medicines, or deciding whether you need tests at all. If the doctor needs to examine your chest, throat or abdomen, they will suggest seeing someone in person.

Get Medical Help Straight Away If You Notice

  • Difficulty breathing, or chest pain
  • Confusion, fainting, or being unusually hard to wake
  • Fever with a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
  • Signs of dehydration: very little urine, dizziness on standing, or a very dry mouth

Contact your nearest healthcare provider straight away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a general physician treat?

Most everyday illnesses: fevers, infections, coughs and colds, stomach upsets and body aches, along with long-term conditions like diabetes, blood pressure and thyroid problems. They also help you decide whether you need a specialist, and which one.

Is a general physician the same as an MBBS doctor?

Not always. Any MBBS doctor can treat common illnesses. A physician with an MD in General Medicine has three more years of training in adult medicine, including managing several conditions at once. For most everyday problems, either is a good place to start.

Can a doctor prescribe medicines in an online consultation?

Yes, for many conditions. Under India’s telemedicine guidelines, doctors can give you a digital prescription after an online consultation. Some medicines cannot be prescribed remotely, and the doctor may ask you to get tests done or be seen in person first.

When should I get a fever checked?

If it lasts more than three days, goes above 103°F (39.4°C), keeps returning, or comes with a severe headache, rash, breathlessness or confusion. During the monsoon, when dengue and malaria are common, it is worth getting a fever checked sooner.

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