Gastroenteritis In Adults

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor promptly if you have symptoms of gastroenteritis together with any of the following:

• A fever above 101° Fahrenheit

• Blood or pus in your stool

• Diarrhea that lasts more than one week

• Symptoms of significant dehydration, including dry mouth, intense thirst, and weakness

• A history of recent travel to a developing country or to any area where sanitation is poor

• Any medical condition that either weakens the immune system or is treated with immune-suppressing medication

Also, call your doctor promptly if you are taking oral medication for a chronic medical condition and you are either too nauseated to swallow your medicine or have vomited after taking it.

Prognosis

Overall, the outlook is excellent. Almost all adults with mild gastroenteritis recover completely without complications.

Additional Info

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Office of Communications & Public Liaison 6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC6612 Bethesda, MD 20892-6612 Phone: (301) 496-5717 http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

National Center for Infectious Diseases Office of Health Communication Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mailstop C-14 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30333 Toll-Free: (888) 232-3228 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) P.O. Box 3099 Arlington, VA 22302 http://www.acg.gi.org/