Duration of diarrhea

Diarrhea is a very common condition that mostly heals on its own. There is no precise definition, but one generally speaks of diarrhea if more than three watery bowel movements a day.

In most cases the cause is a virus or bacterial infection. Hygiene plays an important role here in order not to infect other people. In the case of long-lasting diarrhea, however, the cause can also be non-infectious. Clarification by the doctor is necessary here.

Also read: Causes of diarrhea

That's how long diarrhea lasts

A diarrheal illness lasts differently depending on the cause. With a viral cause, diarrhea can last anywhere from a day to two weeks. It is not uncommon for this to be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

• One of the most famous viral diarrheal diseases is norovirus infection. This sounds in 12 to 48 hours off again.
  Please also read: Norovirus - How Dangerous Is It?
• If diarrhea and fever persist, a bacterial cause should be considered. An example of this is traveler's diarrhea, which is often caused by the E. Coli bacterium and about one to four days persists.

Bacterial diarrhea can be persistent. Symptomatic therapy usually helps here, but antibiotic therapy is recommended if the course is severe or if the symptoms are present. If you suspect a bacterial diarrhea, it is advisable to see a doctor.

• But there are not only inflammatory causes, because intolerance can also cause diarrhea. For example, in the case of lactose intolerance after consuming dairy products.
  This article might also interest you: Lactose intolerance
• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis also lead to diarrhea. This can occur in phases and also chronically (> two weeks) run. In the case of persistent or recurring diarrhea, it is important to see a doctor.
  You may also be interested in the following article: Crohn's disease

I can do this to reduce the diarrhea

• The most important thing with diarrhea is to drink enough fluids. The body needs water and salts (electrolytes). For this, water and sweetened tea are highly recommended. There are also certain drinks that are high in electrolytes and contain sugar. Salty broths can also help.
• In order to do something good for the intestines, only light foods are initially called for. This means rice, rusks, jacket potatoes and pretzel sticks. You should avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods.
• If you have severe nausea and vomiting, you can also take medication, so-called anti-emetics.If oral intake is not possible, there are also suppositories. Antispasmodic medication, such as Buscopan, can also be helpful for severe intestinal cramps.
  Also read: Antimetics
• In the case of slight cramps, you can apply some warmth to your stomach using a cherry stone pillow, for example.
• There is also limited evidence that probiotics based on Saccharomyces boulardii can reduce diarrhea.
  You may also be interested in the following article: Probiotics

Finally, it is also important to rest, not to exercise during the diarrheal illness and not to work either. Furthermore, hygienic measures are of great importance in order not to infect other people.

For more information, we recommend our website to: How to stop diarrhea quickly

This increases the duration of the diarrhea

A diarrheal illness can be prolonged by the wrong diet.

• High-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits should be avoided during the time of the illness.
• Spicy and fatty foods can also make diarrhea worse.

You should first stick to light foods and only gradually start eating other foods.

There are some drugs that are said to work against diarrhea. However, these are not given routinely as they can prolong the duration and severity of the disease.

• In the case of bacterial diarrhea, a lack of antibiotic therapy can also prolong the diarrhea.
• However, if the cause is an intolerance, continued ingestion of the wrong food can lead to persistent diarrhea.

You may also be interested in the following article: Medication for diarrhea

Length of sick leave

The length of sick leave varies depending on the cause. If, however, we assume an infectious diarrhea, then the sick leave must be made for the entire time in which the diarrhea persists. Only after 24 hours of freedom from symptoms can the person concerned go back to work.

In the case of a norovirus infection, it is even advisable to wait up to two days after the symptoms have subsided. Special cases are people who work with food. Here, the sick should return to work no earlier than two days after the diarrhea and observe hygienic measures for at least four weeks.

You may also be interested in the following article: Infectious diarrheal diseases

How long does diarrhea last after antibiotics?

If antibiotics are taken within the last 12 weeks before the onset of the diarrhea, the antibiotics should be viewed as a possible trigger. In some cases the antibiotic attacks the intestinal flora, so that one can suffer from diarrhea while taking the antibiotic. This should stop in a short time when the medication is discontinued.
Also read: Abdominal pain from antibiotics

The extreme case is Clostridium difficile infection, which can occur 2 to 10 days after starting antibiotic treatment. Very high fever, intestinal cramps and foul-smelling diarrhea are typical. In this case a medical consultation is necessary.
More about this topic can be found: Pseudomembranous colitis

After how long do I have to see a doctor?

There is no general answer to this question. Various factors, such as other secondary diseases or the age of the patient, play an important role.

• Small children or elderly patients should see a doctor early, as these patient groups can suffer from dehydration (desiccosis) much more quickly.
  Read more on this topic at: Desiccosis, diarrhea in the baby
• People with kidney disease, cancer or a poor immune system should also see a doctor earlier.

In healthy adults, symptomatic therapy can first be carried out at home.

• If the diarrhea persists (> 2 weeks), a high fever or a severe course, a medical consultation is necessary.

You may also be interested in the following article: Vomiting and diarrhea

How long does diarrhea last after vaccination?

Diarrhea is not a common side effect of vaccination. Mostly it is more of a local discomfort at the injection site.

Nevertheless, slight gastrointestinal complaints may occur after the live vaccination against rotaviruses. These usually start 1 to 4 weeks after the vaccination and last a few days. Since the vaccine virus is excreted with live vaccinations, contact persons can become infected. Old and immunocompromised people are particularly at risk here.

Read more on the subject at: Vaccination against the rotavirus, diarrhea after a baby vaccination, live vaccination

How long is diarrhea contagious?

Diarrhea is contagious throughout the illness. Mostly they are smear or droplet infections, so special hygiene measures are necessary during the duration of the diarrhea.

These include washing hands with soap. If possible, you should also use separate toilets and not prepare food for other people. Washing clothes at at least 60 degrees can also be helpful.

In general, it can be assumed that the person affected is no longer contagious after 48 hours of freedom from symptoms.

Also read: Which diarrhea is contagious?

Duration of diarrhea in the baby / child

Babies and children are a special group of patients because they are at higher risk of dehydration (desiccosis). You are particularly often confronted with diarrheal diseases, most of which have a viral cause. The most common pathogens are the rota-, adeno-, noro- and astroviruses.

In most cases, the diarrheal illnesses only last a few days. It is important to observe whether the baby or child is still able to drink. If this is not the case, then a medical consultation is necessary.

The diarrhea should not last more than 1 to 2 weeks. If this persists or a high fever occurs, the child should be taken to the doctor. After all, hygienic measures, such as those mentioned above, are very important here in order not to infect other family members.

A child with diarrhea should also not go to daycare, kindergarten or school. Only after two days without diarrhea will the child be so healthy again that they can cope with everyday life normally.

Also read: Diarrhea in toddlers, diarrhea in babies