What are the symptoms of acute infectious diarrhoea?
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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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