Bacterial Diarrhea (Adult)
Gastroenteritis is an infection in the intestinal tract. It's sometimes called the "stomach flu," but it's not related to influenza. Although most diarrhea is caused by a virus, you can have a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea. Diarrhea is the passing of loose, watery stools 3 or more times a day.
Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections. Sometimes it's necessary to wait until a stool culture is completed before an antibiotic can be chosen. This may take about 2 days. Sometimes a rectal swab, done in the doctor's clinic, can check for infection more quickly than cultures. Certain types of gastroenteritis should not be treated with antibiotics. Such treatment can lead to other problems. Don't take antibiotics until your doctor has the results of your stool culture and advises an antibiotic.
Along with diarrhea, you may have other symptoms, including:
The main danger of diarrhea is dehydration. Dehydration is the loss of too much water and other fluids (electrolytes) from the body without taking in enough fluids to replace it. When this occurs, body fluids must be replaced with oral rehydration solutions. These solutions are available at pharmacies and most grocery stores without a prescription.
Home care
Medicine
-
If antibiotics were prescribed, be sure you take them as directed until they are finished. Keep taking the antibiotics as prescribed even if your symptoms go away and you feel better.
-
You may use acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to control fever unless another medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your doctor before using these medicines. Do not give aspirin to children or teens unless your child's doctor says it is safe. Aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition. Don't increase your use of NSAID medicines if you are already taking the medicine for another condition (such as arthritis). Don't use NSAIDs if you are on daily aspirin therapy (such as for heart disease or after stroke).
-
Don't take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines, unless advised by your doctor. They can make your bacterial diarrhea worse. This is especially true if you have a fever, or the diarrhea is bloody.
Prevent spread of the illness
-
If symptoms are severe, rest at home for the next 24 hours or until you are feeling better.
-
Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer after touching anyone who is sick, after using the toilet, and before meals.
-
Teach all people in your home when and how to wash their hands. Wet your hands with clean, running water and lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you need a timer, try humming the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. Rinse your hands well and dry them with a clean towel.
-
Clean the toilet after each use.
-
Don't prepare or serve food to others.
Diet
-
To prevent dehydration, sip water and clear liquids like soft drinks without caffeine, ginger ale, mineral water, and decaf tea and coffee. Drink small amounts at a time. Don't drink too fast or too much at once. Sports drinks are not a good choice because they have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. Commercially available oral rehydration solutions are best. You can buy these without a prescription.
-
If you eat, don't have fatty, greasy, spicy, or fried foods.
-
Don't eat or drink dairy products if you have diarrhea, as they can make diarrhea worse.
-
Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can make diarrhea, cramping, and pain worse. Remember, caffeine is in coffee, chocolate, colas, some energy drinks, and teas. Try to stop using these until you have recovered.
-
Don't force yourself to eat, especially if you have cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea. Don't eat large amounts at a time, even if you are hungry.
During the first 24 hours (the first full day), follow the diet below:
-
Beverages. You can drink water, clear liquids, soft drinks without caffeine, ginger ale, mineral water (plain or flavored), and decaf tea and coffee. Avoid sports drinks.
-
Soups. You can have clear broth, consommé, and bouillon.
-
Desserts. You can have plain gelatin, ice pops, and fruit juice bars.
During the next 24 hours (the second day):
-
If you have improved, you may add:
-
Hot cereal, plain toast, bread, rolls, and crackers.
-
Plain noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and chicken noodle or rice soup.
-
Unsweetened canned fruit like applesauce and bananas (stay away from pineapple and citrus).
-
Limit fat intake to less than 15 grams per day by skipping margarine, butter, oils, mayonnaise, sauces, gravies, fried foods, peanut butter, meat, poultry, and fish.
-
Limit dairy.
-
Limit fiber. Don't eat raw or cooked vegetables, fresh fruits (except bananas), and bran cereals.
-
Limit caffeine and chocolate. Don't use spices or seasonings, except salt.
During the next 24 hours (the third day):
-
As you feel better and your symptoms lessen, slowly go back to a normal diet.
-
If at any time your symptoms get worse, go back to clear liquids until you feel better.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your doctor as advised. Call if you are not improving within 24 hours or if the diarrhea lasts more than 1 week on antibiotics. If a stool (diarrhea) sample was taken, you may call in 2 days (or as directed) for the results.
When to get medical advice
Contact your doctor right away if you have:
-
Increasing belly pain or constant lower right belly pain.
-
Continued vomiting (unable to keep liquids or food down).
-
Frequent diarrhea (more than 5 times a day).
-
Blood in vomit or stool (black or red color).
-
Reduced oral intake.
-
Dark urine, reduced urine output (not urinating in 6 to 8 hours during the day).
-
Weakness, dizziness.
-
Drowsiness.
-
A fever of 100.4ºF ( 38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.
-
A new rash.
-
Symptoms that get worse or you have new symptoms.
High-risk groups
Some people are more prone to risks from diarrhea, like dehydration. These people include the very elderly, those with weak immune systems (for cancer treatment, for example), or those who have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or colitis). If you are in one of these groups, see your doctor right away if your diarrhea symptoms get worse or don't improve with treatment.
Call 911
Call 911 if you have: