Be watchful -- a tiny cut, scrape or prick may open the door to an invasion by germs, not visible to the naked eye, which will result in an abscess.

Whether a case of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is serious or not, it always warrants investigation, says Dr. Sanjeewa Aryasingha, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. Originating somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract, the blood escapes the body either through the rectum or the mouth, staining vomit red or producing blood stained or black tarry stools.