Mary Valcanis is a Gastroenterologist based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. She looks after people with gut problems, especially when an infection is the cause. Digestive issues can come on fast, and it can be scary when you’re not sure what’s happening.
In many cases, Mary helps with bacterial and viral gastroenteritis type illnesses. This can include infections like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and typhoid fever. She also sees people with general stomach bug symptoms, including viral gastroenteritis. At times, the main issue is ongoing diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, or feeling run down, and it helps to have a clear plan for what to do next.
Mary focuses on calming things down and making sure the right checks are done. That might mean talking through symptoms, how long they’ve been going on, and what could be triggering them. For gut infections, she helps people understand why some cases settle with home care while others need medical review sooner. Things like dehydration risk, ongoing fever, or symptoms that don’t improve are usually the types of situations where an appointment can make a big difference.
Because gastroenteritis can have different causes, she works through the details rather than assuming it’s the same for everyone. For example, bacterial stomach infections such as Salmonella enterocolitis or bacterial gastroenteritis can look similar at first, but the next steps can be different. Mary also considers how infectious diarrhoea spreads and what changes can help protect family members and others close to you.
Over time, Mary builds a steady picture of what’s going on in the digestive system. She’s also aware that gut infections can affect how people eat and drink, and they can leave you feeling off for a while after the worst part. In appointments, she keeps the conversation practical, so you know what to watch for and when to seek help again.
Mary’s work as a gastroenterologist centres on digestive health and gut infections. Her approach is grounded and patient-focused, with a focus on clear explanations, sensible next steps, and support through the recovery phase.
If you’re dealing with a suspected stomach infection in Melbourne, Mary Valcanis can help you sort out what’s most likely, what treatment options may be considered, and how to manage symptoms while you get better.
