When should I see a doctor about diarrhoea?
Most episodes of diarrhoea are due to gastroenteritis (bacterial or viral – some due to ‘food poisoning’. Most cases are mild and get better in 2-3 days. They do not need treatment, and you do not need to see a doctor.
You should see a doctor if you have diarrhoea that is more severe or frequent than usual; or if it lasts for more than two weeks without improvement.
You should also see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Dehydration. If so, you may feel thirsty, tired, or dizzy, and you may have less urine or a dry mouth. Other signs of dehydration include dark-coloured urine, dry skin, or lightheadedness
- Abdominal pain – with severe abdominal or rectal pain
- Blood in your poo, or if the poo had gone black (can be due to melaena). This may be a sign of bleeding inside your intestines
- Fever – of more than 39°C
- Other symptoms – e.g. persistent vomiting, weight loss, or diarrhoea that occurs at night and disturbs your sleep
- Skin rash – an unexplained skin rash, especially on the legs or around the bottom.
