What is the treatment for infectious diarrhoea in adults?

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Symptoms often settle within a few days or so as the immune system usually clears the infection. The following are commonly advised until symptoms ease.

Fluids - have lots to drink

The aim is to prevent dehydration (low body fluid), or to treat dehydration if it has developed.

As a rough guide, drink at least 200 ml after each bout of diarrhoea (after each watery stool).
This extra fluid is in addition to what you would normally drink. For example, an adult will normally drink about two litres a day, but more in hot countries. The above '200 ml after each bout of diarrhoea' is in addition to this usual amount that you would drink.
If you vomit, wait 5-10 minutes and then start drinking again, but more slowly. For example, a sip every 2-3 minutes, but making sure that your total intake is as described above.
You will need to drink even more if you are dehydrated. A doctor will advise on how much to drink if you are dehydrated. For example, this may be to drink 1-2 litres over 6 -12 hours if you are mild to moderately dehydrated.

Rehydration drinks are the ideal drink to have. They are made from sachets that you can buy from pharmacies. (The sachets are also available on prescription.) You add the contents of the sachet to water. Rehydration drinks provide a perfect balance of water, salts, and sugar. They are better than just drinking water alone. The small amount of sugar and salt helps the water to be absorbed better from the gut into the body. They do not stop or reduce diarrhoea, but are the best drinks to prevent or treat dehydration.

Do not use home made salt/sugar drinks as the quantity of salt and sugar has to be exact. If rehydration drinks are not available, then have water as your main drink. Also, have some diluted fruit juice now and then as this contains a little bit of sugar. It is best not to have drinks that contain a lot of sugar such as cola, pop or undiluted juice.

Eat as normally as possible

It used to be advised to 'starve' for a while, but this is now known to be wrong. However, you may not feel like food and most adults can do without food for a few days (but don't stop drinking). Eat as soon as you are able.