Diarrhoea: dehydration and safe care

Diarrhoea means stools are more frequent, loose or watery than usual. Infections, some medicines and problems digesting foods can cause it. Recurrent or prolonged diarrhoea may require investigation for other bowel conditions; stool appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Take small, frequent sips. An oral rehydration solution, a mixture replacing water and salts, may be needed; prepare the product advised by a pharmacist or clinician with the amount of water on its label. People with kidney or heart disease or fluid restrictions need individual advice on quantities and products. Persistent vomiting or inability to drink should not be managed by continuing home care alone.

Not all diarrhoea needs antibiotics. Do not self-treat bloody diarrhoea or diarrhoea with fever using anti-diarrhoeal medicines; do not give them to babies or children without medical advice. Probiotics are not necessary or effective in every situation. Recent antibiotics, travel, other illnesses and medicines matter during assessment.

Seek prompt assessment for bloody or black stools, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, markedly reduced urine, dry mouth or light-headedness. Seek advice earlier for a baby under one year, a premature child, pregnancy, older age or a weakened immune system. Do not wait two days if a baby has fever, cannot feed, has no tears or fewer wet nappies.

Call 112 if the person is difficult to wake, confused, severely breathless or fainting. Even apparently mild diarrhoea warrants medical advice if it lasts over two days in an adult, does not improve within a day in a child or is worsening; do not wait for these periods when warning signs are present.