Acute diarrhoea

Diarrhoea that comes on suddenly and lasts for five to 10 days is described as acute or short term. It is usually related to a viral infection (e.g. norovirus – sometimes referred to as the winter vomiting disease) or bacterial infection (e.g. Salmonella, E.coli).

Bacterial infections are often picked up during travel. Known as ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’, this is often a result of drinking contaminated water or eating food that hasn’t been washed or cooked properly. Prevention is always the best policy, so advise your customers to use bottled water where tap water is not safe, to avoid ice in drinks, and to remember that when it comes to food: ‘cook it, boil it, peel it or leave it’.

Anyone who has recently been abroad and has a high fever or other symptoms along with diarrhoea should be referred to the pharmacist.

Diarrhoea that is suspected to have been caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection will need to be treated with prescribed medication. Other causes of acute diarrhoea include:

• Stress, upset or anxiety
• Drinking too much alcohol or coffee
• Medication, such as certain antibiotics and antacids that contain magnesium.

Persistent diarrhoea

Diarrhoea that lasts for more than two weeks is described as chronic or persistent. It can be caused by:

• A bacterial or viral infection
• Overuse of laxatives
• Poor diet
• Long-term conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance and coeliac disease.