Management

The mainstay of treatment is the maintenance of adequate hydration.

• rehydration: generally using oral fluids containing electrolytes and glucose. Intravenous fluid replacement may be indicated in patients with persistent vomiting.
• generally there is no restriction of food intake. Note that temporary milk intolerance may occur due to secondary lactase deficiency.
• anti-diarrhoeal drugs: may be useful in controlling symptoms but should be avoided if moderate to severe diarrhoea because of the danger of prolonging infection.
• antibiotics: specific to particular infective organisms.

Reference

1. Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, et al. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 29;65(12):e45-80.