Bacterial Diarrhea (Adult)

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 healthcare provider before using these medicines. Never give aspirin to a child or teen. It could cause a rare, but serious condition called Reye syndrome. 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 healthcare provider. 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, soft drinks without caffeine, ginger ale, mineral water, decaf tea and coffee. Drink small amounts at a time, don't guzzle it. 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 the diarrhea, cramping, and pain worse. Remember, caffeine is in coffee, chocolate, colas, some energy drinks, and teas. Try to stop using these substances until you have recovered.

• Don't force yourself to eat, especially if having 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. Water, clear liquids, soft drinks without caffeine; ginger ale, mineral water (plain or flavored), decaffeinated tea and coffee. Avoid sports drinks.

• Soups. Clear broth, consommé and bouillon

• Desserts. Plain gelatin, ice pops, and fruit juice bars.

During the next 24 hours (the second day) you may add these to the diet above if you have improved:

• Hot cereal, plain toast, bread, rolls, crackers

• Plain noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, 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 skip 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. No spices or seasonings except salt.

During the next 24 hours:

• Slowly go back to a normal diet, as you feel better, and your symptoms lessen.

• If at any time your symptoms get worse, go back to clear liquids until you feel better.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider 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

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

• Increasing belly pain or constant lower right belly pain

• Continued vomiting (unable to keep liquids 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

• Weakness, dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• New rash

• Symptoms 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 healthcare provider right away if your diarrhea symptoms get worse or don't improve with treatment.

Call 911

Call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Trouble breathing

• Confused

• Severe drowsiness or trouble waking up

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Rapid heart rate

• Seizure

• Stiff neck