Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be caused by
• Infections (Bacteria, Viruses or Parasites) sometimes from infected food. Please see Travel link for more information on food safety and hygiene.
• Irritable bowels syndrome (see link)
• Inflammation of the bowel e.g. Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
• Food allergies/intolerances e.g. milk or wheat
• Cancers – these tend to be very rare in young people.

Associated symptoms
• Blood or mucous in the stools
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• Fever.
• Weight loss

Most infective diarrhoeas settle within a couple of days. It is important to drink plenty of fluids (water or squash) avoid dairy products and eat bland food such as dry toast pasta or rice when your appetite returns.

It is important to contact a doctor
• If you have increasing abdominal pain
• Your vomiting or diarrhoea is not settling within a couple of days
• There is blood or mucous in the diarrhoea
• You have signs of dehydration including a dry mouth sunken eyes, reduced urine, feeling confused.
• Have been travelling recently.

Food Hygiene
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, after using the toilet, after handling raw foods or waste
• Keep all equipment and surfaces clean. If a tea towel or dish cloth looks dirty wash it!
• If food is cooked in advance it must be kept hot or cooled within a maximum of 90 minutes and then stored properly.
• Follow the manufactures instructions about whether food can be cooked from frozen avoid reheating food particularly rice, pasta and meat. However if you do reheat food be certain it is hot throughout and any bacteria are killed.
• Keep the preparation of raw food and cooked food separate
• Do not eat food with mould on it!
• Pasteurised food e.g. milk yoghurt and cheese, should be refrigerated
• All stored food should be covered to protect it from insects.

Source: www.patient.co.uk