What is the treatment for infectious diarrhea in adults?

Symptoms often settle within a few days or so as the immune system usually clears the infection. The following are commonly advised until symptoms ease.

Fluids - have lots to drink

The aim is to prevent dehydration (low body fluid), or to treat dehydration if it has developed. (Note: if you suspect that you are dehydrated, you should contact a doctor.)

• As a rough guide, drink at least ½ cup after each bout of diarrhea (after each watery stool).
• This extra fluid is in addition to what you would normally drink. For example, an adult will normally drink about two quarts a day. The above "1/2 cup after each bout of diarrhea" is in addition to this usual amount that you would drink.
• If you vomit, wait 5-10 minutes and then start drinking again, but more slowly. For example, a sip every 2-3 minutes, but making sure that your total intake is as described above.
• You will need to drink even more if you are dehydrated. A doctor will advise on how much to drink if you are dehydrated. For example, this may be to drink 1-2 quarts over 6-12 hours if you are mildly to moderately dehydrated.
•  It is best to have drinks that contain a little sugar or salt, such as dilute fruit juice, sports drink or broth.

Eat as normally as possible

It used to be advised to 'starve' for a while, but this is now known to be wrong. However, you may not feel like food and most adults can do without food for a few days (but don't stop drinking). Eat as soon as you are able.

Medication

Anti-diarrhea drugs are not usually necessary. However, you may wish to reduce the number of trips to the toilet. The safest and most effective is loperamide. The adult dose of this is two capsules at first. This is followed by one capsule after each time you pass some diarrhea up to a maximum of eight capsules in 24 hours. It works by slowing down the gut's activity.  Samples are available at the Health Center.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is useful to ease a high temperature or headache.

If symptoms are severe, or persist more than several days, a doctor may ask for a sample of the diarrhea. This is sent to the lab to look for infecting germs (bacteria, parasites, etc). Sometimes an antibiotic or other treatments are needed, depending on the cause of the infection.