Diarrhea (cont.)

Author:
Editor:

When should antibiotics be used for diarrhea?

Most episodes of diarrhea are acute and of short duration and do not require antibiotics. Antibiotics are not even necessary for the most common bacterial infections that cause diarrhea. Antibiotics, however, often are used when (1) patients have more severe and persistent diarrhea, (2) patients have additional debilitating diseases such as heart failure, lung disease, and AIDS, (3) stool examination and testing discloses parasites, more serious bacterial infections (for example, Shigella), or C. difficile, and 4) traveler's diarrhea.

Additional resources from WebMD Boots UK on Diarrhoea

REFERENCE: MedscapeReference.com. Diarrhea.


Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 2/14/2013

Patient Comments

Viewers share their comments

Diarrhea - Effective Treatments Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your diarrhea?
Diarrhea - Causes of Chronic Diarrhea Question: What was the cause of your chronic diarrhea?
Diarrhea - Antibiotics Question: Were you prescribed antibiotics for diarrhea? If so, why and what antibiotic was prescribed.
Diarrhea - Share Your Experience Question: Please share your experience with chronic diarrhea.

Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!