How to use this website
The NHS Direct service is here to provide you with help and support whenever you need health advice and information. We’re here on the web and on the phone, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Help and advice - just a click away
Our range of interactive online tools, known as health and symptom checkers, let you check your symptoms if you’re feeling unwell. You can even use our symptom checkers on behalf of a relative or friend.
Our symptom checkers cover a wide range of common problems including: colds and flu, back pain, dental pain, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and vomiting.
There’s also the opportunity to get more specialist advice on issues such as mental health, contraception, pregnancy problems and more.
How our online symptom checkers work
Mirroring the service we offer on our 0845 4647 telephone helpline, our online symptom checkers let you select your symptoms and then answer some interactive questions about how you’re feeling. We’ll then advise you on what to do next.
Depending on your symptoms, we may advise you how to look after yourself at home, suggest making an appointment with your GP, arrange for a nurse to call you back, or, if the problem is very serious, we can help you to access the ambulance service.
General assessment tool
If you're unsure about what's making you feel unwell, our new General assessment tool is a good place to start. It provides a one stop shop for health advice.
After answering a few short questions about how you're feeling, it will take you to the symptom checker that best suits your symptoms.
Try the General assessment tool.
Interactive body map
In our interactive body map section you can simply point your mouse to where it hurts, and you will be given a list of suitable symptom checkers.
You can select your body type, either male, female, child or baby, ensuring you’re offered the most appropriate symptom checkers.
Try the body map tool.
Browse the symptom checkers
Browse the list of Topics and an A-Z guide to our health and symptom checkers on the Check your symptoms page.
Search for your symptoms
You can search for your symptoms using the search box at the top of this page, or on the homepage.
The mobile app
If you prefer to get your health advice on the move, the NHS Direct mobile app for iPhone and Android is just for you. It features a range of symptom checkers, personalised guides to looking after yourself and the option to save advice to your device to refer to later. You can find out how to download the app for free now.
Evidence-based information
All of our health information is written using evidence-based resources. Our information is regularly reviewed to provide the most up to date and relevant information. Our sources of evidence and research methods are available upon request, via our Contact us page.
Information Standard quality mark
About the ‘life-threat’ questions
The first questions in the online health and symptom checkers assess symptoms of serious, potentially life-threatening conditions which would require urgent care. These are called our life-threat questions. They are designed to find out if you have symptoms of a heart attack, meningitis or a stroke, all of which require immediate medical attention. If you answer "yes" to any of these questions you could potentially have a very serious medical condition.
These questions are not meant to alarm you. We have to ask these questions to ensure that anyone who does visit the website for advice on what could be a life-threatening condition is given the right advice immediately.
The health enquiry service
Did you know you can get in touch to request advice in plain English on all manner of health issues including things like medicines, travel vaccines, long-term conditions and healthy living?
Our advisors can also help you to find the right NHS service or contact details for local and national support groups. So if it’s information you require, send an enquiry to the health information team. The team will try and get back to you as soon as possible, however at busy times, replies may take up to five working days, therefore this service is not suitable for urgent enquiries.
The 24-hour telephone service - 0845 4647
In addition, you can always rest assured that the 0845 4647 phone service is here if you need it, 24-hours a day. We would recommend you call us if you can’t find what you’re looking for on the website, if you have further concerns, or if your symptoms get worse.
Related Links
Symptom checkers
General assessment
If you're unsure of where to look for your health enquiry, our general assessment tool is a great place to start...
