Treatment of Diarrhoea

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If you have acute diarrhoea you are advised to keep to the following until your symptoms settle:

Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of fluids. You are more likely to be dehydrated if you are also vomiting. Try to take small frequent sips of water or diluted fruit juices. It is especially important that babies and small children do not become dehydrated. Even if your child vomits, you should still give frequent sips of water. A small amount of fluid is better than none. If your child shows signs of dehydration (drowsiness, passing little urine, few or no wet nappies, a dry mouth and tongue, unresponsiveness, or glazed eyes) you should call your GP urgently.
If you are worried that you are becoming dehydrated, your doctor or pharmacist may advise rehydration drinks. You can buy these sachets from your pharmacy and add them to water. They provide the correct balance of water, salt, and sugar. They do not help cure the diarrhoea, but are ideal to prevent or treat dehydration. Rehydration drinks may also be advised for your child if you are worried that they may become dehydrated. Do not use home made salt/ sugar drinks- consult your pharmacist.
You should eat as soon as you can. The old advice was to not eat anything for a day or two but now it is advised that you should eat foods high in carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes, and other foods as soon as you feel like it. If however you feel you canâ€™t eat, it will do you no harm, but continue drinking, and eat as soon as you are able. If your child wants to eat, offer soups and foods high in carbohydrates at first. Your child can eat normally as soon as possible. Do not starve your child. If your child refuses to eat, continue to offer drinks and wait until their appetite returns.
Anti-diarrhoea medicines relieve symptoms of acute (severe) diarrhoea and can be useful to reduce discomfort and social disruption, except where there is blood in your stools or if you have a high temperature. Check with your pharmacist. Never give anti-diarrhoea medicines to your child.
If you are breast- feeding or bottle- feeding your child and they have diarrhoea, continue, if they will still feed (use their normal strength feed if they are bottle feed). Rehydration drinks should also be given if necessary.
You can take recommended doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a fever or headache. Liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be given to your child if necessary.
Always continue with good standards of hygiene; this is especially important if you or anyone in your family has diarrhoea.

If you or your child has severe or persistent symptoms you should see your doctor. Further tests may be necessary. Occasionally antibiotics or other treatments are necessary.