Diarrhoea

"Diarrhoea | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Diarrhoea Diarrhoea Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Diarrhoea is passing looser, watery or more frequent poo (stools) than is normal for you. It affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about. It can be distressing and unpleasant. It normally clears up in a few days to a week. Diarrhoea self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. Phone 999 or got to A&E if you or your child: might have swallowed something poisonous have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache Speak to your GP if: You or your child has diarrhoea and: its particularly frequent or severe it lasts for more than 7 days youre concerned poo with blood on it persistent vomiting and are unable to keep fluid down a severe or continuous stomach ache weight loss have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea it occurs at night and is disturbing sleep have recently taken antibiotics or been treated in hospital have signs of dehydration  including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy have poo thats dark or black  this may be a sign of bleeding inside your stomach Your child: has had 6 or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours has diarrhoea and vomiting at the same time has stopped drinking fluids while theyre ill is a baby and has vomited 3 times or more in the past 24 hours is under 12 months with diarrhoea and youre worried If your GP is closed, phone 111. What causes diarrhoea? There are many different causes of diarrhoea. 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 and Escherichia (E. coli), which are often picked up from contaminated food a parasite  such as the parasite that causes giardiasis, which is spread in contaminated water These infections can sometimes be caught during travelling abroad, particularly to areas with poor standards of public hygiene. This is known as travellers diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be the result of anxiety, a food allergy , medication, or a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . What to do if you have diarrhoea Most cases of diarrhoea clear up after a few days without treatment. You should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration . Drink small sips of water often. Its very important that babies and children do not become dehydrated. Your pharmacist may suggest you use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if you or you child are particularly at risk of dehydration. You should eat solid foods as soon as you feel able to. If youre breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby and they have diarrhoea, you should try to feed them as normal. Stay at home until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea to prevent spreading any infection to others. Medications to reduce diarrhoea, such as loperamide, are available. However, these are not usually necessary. Most types of medication should not be given to children. Read further information about managing diarrhoea , including what to eat and drink Preventing diarrhoea Diarrhoea is often caused by an infection. You can reduce your risk by making sure you maintain high standards of hygiene. Do 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 episode of diarrhoea avoid sharing towels, flannels, cutlery, or utensils with other household members avoid potentially unsafe tap water and undercooked food when travelling abroad Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 29 May 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Self-help guide: Abdominal pain Dehydration Gastroenteritis Other health sites IBS Network: what is IBS? 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