How many days should you wait to see a doctor for diarrhea?
Visit your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Diarrhea that lasts more than two days. Diarrhea accompanied by a fever of 102 degrees F or higher. Six or more loose stools in 24 hours.
Is it normal to have diarrhea for 6 days?
Acute (short-term) diarrhea, caused by an infection or food intolerance, generally lasts for a couple of days but may continue for up to 2 weeks. Chronic (long-term) diarrhea, caused by a health condition, gallbladder removal, or parasitic infection, may last for at least 4 weeks.
How long does diarrhea last in an older person?
However, diarrhea can last up to two weeks in older individuals and those with weakened immune systems. Campylobacter: Campylobacter intestinal infections most commonly come from the same types of contaminated foods as salmonella infections. Characteristic symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and possibly nausea and vomiting.
How old does a toddler have to be to have diarrhea?
Toddler’s diarrhea. Toddler’s diarrhea—also called functional diarrhea, or chronic nonspecific diarrhea of childhood—is a common cause of chronic diarrhea in toddlers (ages 1 to 3), and preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5). Children with toddler’s diarrhea pass four or more watery or loose stools a day and do not have any other symptoms.
When do you know that you have diarrhea?
Diarrhea makes its presence known with several urgent trips to the bathroom in a short time. You know it’s diarrhea when you pass loose, watery stool two or more times a day. You may also have: Cramping. Abdominal pain. Bloating.
What causes short term and long term diarrhea in children?
Diarrhea may be either: Short-term (acute). Diarrhea that lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away. This may be caused by food or water that was contaminated by bacteria (bacterial infection). Or it may happen if your child gets sick from a virus. Long-term (chronic). Diarrhea that lasts for a few weeks.
Toddler’s diarrhea. Toddler’s diarrhea—also called functional diarrhea, or chronic nonspecific diarrhea of childhood—is a common cause of chronic diarrhea in toddlers (ages 1 to 3), and preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5). Children with toddler’s diarrhea pass four or more watery or loose stools a day and do not have any other symptoms.
However, diarrhea can last up to two weeks in older individuals and those with weakened immune systems. Campylobacter: Campylobacter intestinal infections most commonly come from the same types of contaminated foods as salmonella infections. Characteristic symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and possibly nausea and vomiting.
When to tell your doctor about chronic diarrhea?
Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it. If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea. To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell him:
What are the symptoms of watery diarrhea in children?
When symptoms do occur, watery diarrhea—frequently called “rice water stools” because it looks like the water left after washing rice—is the most characteristic sign of the disease, followed by vomiting and cramps. In more serious cases, both kids and adults alike can die within a matter of hours due to severe dehydration.