What should you know about flu diarrhoea?

Loose or watery stools can happen alongside an infection, dietary change or medicine effect. Gastroenteritis and food poisoning often cause diarrhoea with cramps, nausea or vomiting. If symptoms recur or continue, a clinician may also consider food intolerance, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, giardiasis or an overactive thyroid.

The timing and accompanying symptoms help separate possibilities. Mention recent travel, unsafe food or water, new medicines, sick contacts, blood or mucus in the stool, weight change, and whether symptoms follow particular foods. Diarrhoea can remove fluid and salts, so hydration is part of the immediate concern.

Sip fluids often and consider an oral rehydration drink if stools are frequent. Eat small, simple meals as tolerated and avoid foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before preparing food; do not prepare food for others while actively unwell.

Do not start antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicines without checking that they are suitable. Keep a brief record of stool frequency, triggers, temperature, vomiting and urine output so a clinician can assess the pattern.

Seek urgent medical help for blood or black stool, severe abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, or signs of significant dehydration. Arrange review when diarrhoea is persistent, repeatedly returns, follows travel, or occurs with weight loss, fever or a weakened immune system. Children and older adults may need earlier advice.

Does this pattern fit an infection or another bowel problem? Should I test for an intolerance or inflammatory condition? Which fluids and medicines are suitable? What changes mean I should seek urgent care?