Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus infection and therefore is unable to be treated directly. It is unpleasant but rarely dangerous. Diarrhoea is often accompanied by a colicky (cramp like) pain in the tummy. It may also be proceeded by vomiting.

What you can do:

• Miss the next meal or two.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids (water or squash)
• Take paracetamol for colic-like tummy pains.
• Take rehydration medicine available from your pharmacist.

Consult your doctor if..

•Contact your doctor immediately if there is any blood with the diarrhoea.
•A baby, or child with diarrhoea is drowsy or refuses to drink for a few hours.
•You have a fever with diarrhoea
•The diarrhoea lasts more than a week (more than two days in a child)
•You pass little or no urine over 12 hours (six hours in babies)
•You think you have picked up a stomach bug from overseas.