Doctors say you have diarrhea if you have watery stools and you need to go to the bathroom more than three times in a day.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bouree P, Chaput JC, Krainik F, et al.
Double-blind controlled study of the efficacy of nifuroxazide versus placebo in the treatment of acute diarrhea in adults.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique. 1989; 13: 469-472.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

You may also have other symptoms like vomiting or stomach cramps.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Thielman NM, Guerrant R.
Acute infectious diarrhea.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 38-47.

 

 

 

 

 

²

This information looks at diarrhea that's caused by an infection with a

 

 

 

 

 

viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.

 

 

 

 

 

virus or

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
De Wit MA, Koopmans MP, Kortbeek LM, et al.
Etiology of gastroenteritis in sentinel general practices in The Netherlands.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001; 33: 280-288.

 

 

 

 

 

³

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Jiang ZD, Lowe B, Vernekar MP, et al.
Prevalence of enteric pathogens among international travelers with diarrhea acquired in Kenya (Mombasa), India (Goa), or Jamaica (Montego Bay).
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2002; 185: 497-502.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴ You pick up viruses or bacteria from contaminated food or water.

You can also catch diarrhea from another person who has it. This happens when you touch something that is contaminated with traces of their stool (for example, the person's hand) and then put your hand in your mouth (for example, when you eat).

If you have diarrhea that's caused by a virus, it usually gets better on its own in a few days. But diarrhea can also be caused by another problem with your bowels, such as

 

 

 

 

 

irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that causes symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. It can be cause long-term discomfort but it doesn't usually lead to serious health problems.

 

 

 

 

 

irritable bowel syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Thielman NM, Guerrant R.
Acute infectious diarrhea.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 38-47.

 

 

 

 

 

²

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Fact sheet: diarrhea.
March 2007. Available at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov (accessed on 22 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ If your diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, or if you're too ill to eat or drink, it's important to see a doctor.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Thielman NM, Guerrant R.
Acute infectious diarrhea.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 38-47.

 

 

 

 

 

²

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Fact sheet: diarrhea.
March 2007. Available at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov (accessed on 22 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁵

You have a higher risk of catching diarrhea if you:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Guerrant RL, Van Gilder T, Steiner TS, et al.
Practice guidelines for the management of infectious diarrhea.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001; 32: 331-351.

 

 

 

 

 

⁶

Viruses are one cause of diarrhea.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
De Wit MA, Koopmans MP, Kortbeek LM, et al.
Etiology of gastroenteritis in sentinel general practices in The Netherlands.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001; 33: 280-288.

 

 

 

 

 

³

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Jiang ZD, Lowe B, Vernekar MP, et al.
Prevalence of enteric pathogens among international travelers with diarrhea acquired in Kenya (Mombasa), India (Goa), or Jamaica (Montego Bay).
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2002; 185: 497-502.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴ Diarrhea caused by a virus often breaks out in families, schools or communities.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Thielman NM, Guerrant R.
Acute infectious diarrhea.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 38-47.

 

 

 

 

 

²

 

 

 

 

 

antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

 

 

 

 

 

Antibiotics don't work against viruses.

Some bacteria also cause diarrhea. We've looked at the common types.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Thielman NM, Guerrant R.
Acute infectious diarrhea.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 38-47.

 

 

 

 

 

²

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
De Wit MA, Koopmans MP, Kortbeek LM, et al.
Etiology of gastroenteritis in sentinel general practices in The Netherlands.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001; 33: 280-288.

 

 

 

 

 

³

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Jiang ZD, Lowe B, Vernekar MP, et al.
Prevalence of enteric pathogens among international travelers with diarrhea acquired in Kenya (Mombasa), India (Goa), or Jamaica (Montego Bay).
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2002; 185: 497-502.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

You catch Campylobacter by eating undercooked meat (especially poultry), by handling raw meat or poultry, or by drinking unpasteurized milk or untreated water. You can also catch it from pets that have diarrhea. It can occasionally be passed from person to person.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Campylobacter infections.
October 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo (accessed on 22 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁷

You can catch Salmonella from contaminated food or from another person who has it.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Health Protection Agency (UK).
Salmonella.
Available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections (accessed on 22 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁸

Diarrhea caused by Shigella is also called bacillary dysentery. You can catch Shigella from drinking contaminated water or from eating food that has been washed in contaminated water (like salad or fruit). You can also catch it from another person. Shigella is one cause of travelers' diarrhea.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Health Protection Agency (UK).
Topics A-Z: Shigella.
Available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/shigella/menu.htm (accessed on 25 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

⁹

These bacteria live naturally in the intestines of people and animals. They're usually harmless. However, some types of E. coli can make you ill. You can catch E. coli from contaminated food, from other people who have E. coli, or through contact with infected animals.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Health Protection Agency (UK).
Escherichia coli.
Available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections (accessed on 20 January 2006).

 

 

 

 

 

¹⁰

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Health Protection Agency (UK).
Escherichia coli.
Available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections (accessed on 20 January 2006).

 

 

 

 

 

¹⁰

E. coli is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Travelers' diarrhea.
November 2006. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo (accessed on 22 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

¹¹

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.