Summary

• Most diarrhoea is mild and clears up in a few days without treatment.
• Diarrhoea has many different causes, but gastroenteritis is a common one.
• Avoiding dehydration is very important, especially in children and older adults.
• Children and older adults should use oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids when they have diarrhoea.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicines.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 28 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about diarrhoea.

Relevant Tests

If your doctor suspects you have diarrhoea, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with diarrhoea, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• Stool culture
• Ova, Cysts and Parasites
• Clostridium difficile
• Deaminated gliadin antibody (Coeliac disease)
• Electrolytes