Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea

Occurrence of 3 or more loose watery stools in 24 hours.

Cause

• Infectious diseases, eg. measles, malaria and other fever−causing conditions

• Bacterial infection, eg. food poisoning

• Protozoal infections, eg. giardiasis

• Worm infestation, eg. strongyloidiasis

• Malnutrition, eg. kwashiorkor

• Drugs, eg. prolonged use of purgatives and broad−spectrum antibiotics

• Viral infections, eg. enteroviruses

• Unhygienic feeding methods

• Malabsorption syndrome

• Lactose intolerance

Clinical features

• Loose watery stools

• Abdominal cramps

• Dehydration − thirst, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity, failure to pass urine

• Signs of malnutrition if diarrhoea persists for >14 days

• Blood in stool (in dysentery)

Investigations

• Stool: microscopy, C&S

• Other investigations may be necessary according to history and physical examination

Management

Find and treat the cause

Prevent or correct dehydration