Acute diarrhoea in adults
goodtoknow says: When diarrhoea comes on suddenly it's usually caused by an infection which, although unpleasant, is very common. It can also be caused by food poisoning. This is called acute diarrhoea and rarely lasts more than a few days. As well as watery stools, you may also be sick, have stomach cramps, fever and a headache. Help yourself by drinking plenty of fluids, and eat if you can. Ignore advice to 'starve your stomach'. Taking a probiotic supplement, available in capsules and yoghurts, may also speed recovery from diarrhoea. See your doctor if you have blood in your stools.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of diarrhoea from patient.co.uk, read on.
Diarrhoea can be acute (sudden onset and lasts less than two weeks) or chronic (persistent). This leaflet deals with acute diarrhoea, which is common.
What causes acute diarrhoea?
- Infection of the gut is the common cause. This is called acute infectious diarrhoea. Many bacteria, viruses, and other 'germs' can cause diarrhoea. Sometimes the germs come from infected food (food poisoning). Infected water is a cause in some countries. Sometimes it is just 'one of those germs going about'. Viruses are easily spread from one person to another by close contact, or when an infected person prepares food for others.
- Other causes are uncommon and include: drinking lots of beer, side-effects from some drugs, and anxiety.
- Gut disorders that cause chronic (persistent) diarrhoea, such as colitis, may be mistaken for acute diarrhoea when they first begin.
The rest of this leaflet deals only with infectious causes of acute diarrhoea.
What are the symptoms of acute infectious diarrhoea?
Symptoms can range from a mild stomach upset for a day or two with slight diarrhoea, to severe watery diarrhoea for several days or longer. Crampy pains in the abdomen (tummy) are common. Pains may ease each time some diarrhoea is passed. Vomiting, high temperature (fever), and headache may also develop.
Can infectious diarrhoea be prevented?
Proper storage, preparation and cooking of food, and good hygiene helps to prevent infectious diarrhoea. In particular, always wash your hands:
- After you go to the toilet.
- Before you touch food.
- Between handling raw meat and food ready to be eaten. (There may be some bacteria on raw meat.)
- After gardening.
- After playing with pets (healthy animals can carry certain harmful bacteria).
If you have infectious diarrhoea, the following are also recommended until symptoms go.
- Regularly clean the toilets that you use. Wipe the flush handle and toilet seat with disinfectant (such as household bleach) after each time you use the toilet.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet. Don't share towels and flannels.
- Do not prepare food for others.
- Stay off work until symptoms go. If you work with food ('food handlers') or work as a health carer you should stay off work until you have had no diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours.
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Mark Robert George Parry, about 1 year
I have just found your page and will try your tips.As a long term sufferer of diarrhoea i will try BRAT and hope to report any difference to you.Thanks.
Report this commentliz.moreton-taylor, over 2 years
I have read that BRAT helps diarrhoea, this is: Bananas boiled Rice stewed Apples dry Toast, also bolied cooled water with a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt, sipped during the day. These should be eaten little but often. These foods do not upset your tummy further.
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Fred Vintner, 12 months
I have now had persistent diarrhoea for 3+ months, 5 stool cultures and nothing found, and the level of discomfort grows daily. I am a kidney transplant patient but I no longer take MMF so that is out of the equation anyone got any thoughts? I find I am hugely upset by everyday smells ( newspaper, sheets as well as food) which cause nausea. Life is a tad grim
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