Mild cases usually need no treatment.

Antidiarrheal medication may delay the organism from leaving the digestive tract, and therefore may not be recommended.

Rehydration with electrolyte solutions may be necessary if dehydration occurs.

Persons with diarrhea (especially young children) who are unable to drink fluids because of nausea may need medical care and fluids through a vein ( intravenous fluids) .

If you take diuretics and develop diarrhea, you may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode. Do not stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your health care provider.

Symptoms usually go away without treatment in a few days.

• Dehydration
• Prolonged diarrhea

Note: The diarrhea can cause rapid and extreme dehydration in babies.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• Dehydration develops
• Diarrhea does not go away in 3 to 4 days
• You have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• There is blood in the stools

Images

Clostridium difficile organism

Salmonella typhi organism

Campylobacter jejuni organism

Yersinia enterocolitica organism

Esophagus and stomach anatomy

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Enteritis Prevention

Review Date: 04/12/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)