When should you see a doctor about diarrhoea?

Loose or watery stools can follow an infection, contaminated food or water, a medicine, or a food intolerance. Recurrent episodes may occur with [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/), while dairy-related symptoms can fit [Lactose Intolerance](/conditions/lactose-intolerance/). Recent travel, sick contacts, abdominal cramps, fever, and stool changes help a clinician narrow the cause.

Take frequent sips of fluid and replace salts with an appropriate oral rehydration product when losses are substantial. [Oral Rehydration Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/oral-rehydration-therapy/) can be discussed with a pharmacist. Eat small, simple meals as tolerated, wash hands carefully, and avoid preparing food for others while unwell. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine if you have blood in the stool or significant fever without medical advice.

Seek urgent care for fainting, confusion, very little urine, inability to keep fluids down, severe abdominal pain, black stools, or visible blood. Contact a doctor promptly when diarrhoea keeps returning, follows recent antibiotics, follows travel, or is accompanied by fever or weight loss. A clinician may consider infections such as [Norovirus Infection](/conditions/norovirus-infection/), [Traveller's Diarrhoea](/conditions/travellers-diarrhoea/), or [Typhoid Fever](/conditions/typhoid-fever/), depending on the history.

Ask how much fluid you need, whether testing is appropriate, and which foods or medicines to pause. Tell the doctor when it began, how often stools occur, whether there is blood or mucus, and whether anyone else is ill. Mention long-standing symptoms or a history suggestive of [Ulcerative Colitis](/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/).