Digestive Disorders Health Center

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are mostly black or bloody?

Do you have rectal bleeding and a fever?

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are partly black or bloody?

Have you had 1 or more small stools that are mostly black or bloody?

Have you had streaks of blood in your stools?

Have you had a normal bowel movement but there is a small amount of blood in the toilet water?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had a large amount rectal bleeding, but you do not have signs of shock?

Have you had a moderate amount of rectal bleeding more than 1 time?

Have you had rectal bleeding with any other symptoms, such as bleeding gums or easy bruising?

Do you have rectal bleeding and a fever?

Do you think your rectal bleeding is caused by abuse?

Have you had a moderate amount of rectal bleeding?

Have you had a small amount of rectal bleeding several times in the past 24 hours?

Have you had a small amount of rectal bleeding more than 1 time?

Have you had ongoing rectal bleeding that has been checked by your doctor, but the bleeding is not getting better or is getting worse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have a fever of or higher?

Do you think that you have a high fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Do you have a fever and rectal pain?

Do you have rectal bleeding?

Do you have pus draining from your anus and a fever?

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Do you have a fever of to ?

Do you think you have a mild to moderate fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have severe rectal pain?

Do you think an object in the rectum is the cause of your pain?

Do you have a fever and rectal pain?

Have you had moderate rectal pain for longer than 24 hours?

Have you had mild to moderate rectal pain for longer than 1 week after trying home treatment?

Have you had rectal spasms (proctalgia fagux) off and on for longer than 1 week but you do not have other symptoms?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have swelling in or around your anus and moderate to severe pain?

Do you have swelling in or around your anus and a fever?

Do you have swelling in or around your anus and think that you have a moderate fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Do you have swelling in or around your anus and think that you have a mild fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Do you have a painful lump, sore, or growth in or around your anus?

Have you had a lump or swelling in or around your anus without other symptoms for longer than 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have a rectal problem because someone hurt you?

Do you think that your child's rectal problem was caused by abuse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you think that a medicine is causing your rectal problem?Note: If your answer is Yes:Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine the same day to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking a medicine that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop taking it.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Does your child continue to have anal itching after 72 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had leakage of stool (fecal incontinence) for longer than 24 hours?

Have you had other signs of illness, such as weight loss, rash, weakness, or increased thirst and urination, for longer than 1 week?

Do you continue to have rectal itching after 1 to 2 weeks of home treatment?Note: If you think your rectal itching may be caused by exposure to a sexually transmitted disease: Do not have sexual contact until you have been treated by a doctor.Your partner may need to be treated as well.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.