Diarrhea is where you frequently pass watery or loose
poo. Some people may also have other symptoms, depending on the cause. It
affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about.
However, it can be distressing and unpleasant until it passes, which normally
takes a few days to a week. The excessive loss of water in your poo can also
sometimes lead to symptoms of dehydration, which can be serious if it's not
recognised and treated quickly.
When to seek medical advice
Babies
You should contact the doctor if your baby has had six or more episodes of
diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or if they've vomited three times or more in the
past 24 hours.
You should also seek advice if your baby has any symptoms
of dehydration.
Children
had six or more episodes of diarrhea in the past 24
hours diarrhea and vomiting
at the same time, watery poo, blood in their poo,a
severe or continuous stomach ache symptoms of dehydration
Adults
There's blood in your poo
you're vomiting persistently
you've lost a lot of weight
you've passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea
it occurs at night and is disturbing your sleep
you've recently taken antibiotics or been treated in
hospital
you have symptoms of dehydration
your poo is dark or black – this may be a sign of
bleeding inside your stomach
You should also contact your GP if you have persistent
diarrhoea. Most cases in adults will pass in two to four days.
Causes of diarrhoea
There are many different causes of diarrhoea, but a
bowel infection (gastroenteritis) is a common cause in both adults and
children.
Gastroenteritis can be caused by:
a virus – such as norovirus or rotavirus
bacteria – such as campylobacter or Escherichia coli
(E. coli), which are often picked up from contaminated food
a parasite – such as a parasite that causes
giardiasis, which is spread in contaminated water
These infections can sometimes be caught during travel
abroad, particularly to areas with poor standards of public hygiene. This is
known as travelers' diarrhea.
Diarrhea can also be the result of:
anxiety
a food allergy
medication
a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS)
Treating diarrhea
Most cases of diarrhea clear up after a few days
without treatment.
However, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so you
should drink plenty of fluids until it passes.
It's very important that babies and small children
don't become dehydrated. Your pharmacist may suggest you use an oral
rehydration solution (ORS) if you or your child are particularly at risk of
dehydration.
You should eat solid food as soon as you feel able to.
If you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby and they have diarrhea, you
should try to feed them as normal.
Stay at home until at least 48 hours after the last
episode of diarrhea to prevent spreading any infection to others.
Medications to reduce diarrhoea, such as loperamide,
are available. However, these aren't usually necessary, and most types
shouldn't be given to children.
Preventing diarrhea
Diarrhoea is often caused by an infection. You can
reduce your risk by making sure you maintain high standards of hygiene.
For example, you should:
wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food
clean the toilet, including the handle and the seat,
with disinfectant after each bout of diarrhea
avoid sharing towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils
with others
wash soiled clothing and bed linen separately from
other clothes and at the highest temperature possible – for example, 60C or
higher for linen – after first removing any poo into the toilet
avoid returning to work or school until at least 48
hours after the last episode of diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea
It's important to practice good food and water hygiene
while traveling abroad, such as avoiding potentially unsafe tap water and
undercooked food.
If you're planning a trip abroad, check health advice
for the countries you'll be traveling to.
food and water abroad
Rotavirus vaccination
Rotavirus is a virus that commonly causes diarrhea in
children. A vaccine that helps protect children against rotavirus is now part
of the routine childhood vaccination schedule.
This vaccine is given as a liquid that's dropped into
a baby's mouth. It's given in two doses, with the first given at two months and
another at three months.
