Should I use this page, or skip it?
Use this page if stools have suddenly become loose and you need fluids, time-off rules, and a door to 111. Skip it and call 999 if you are confused, collapsing, cannot keep any fluids down, or have black stool and look very unwell. This page cannot diagnose IBS or coeliac disease.
A three-day bug is gastroenteritis. Weeks of change belongs with a GP.
What counts as diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea means passing loose or watery stools more often than is normal for you. A sudden bout with cramps and maybe vomiting is usually a tummy bug. The priority is preventing dehydration while the gut recovers. NHS advice is that infectious diarrhoea usually stops within five to seven days.
Blood in poo is not a typical viral bug — get it checked.
What usually causes it?
Gastroenteritis from a virus such as norovirus, or food poisoning, is the usual short cause. Medicines including antibiotics can trigger it. Longer or repeated diarrhoea may be IBS, coeliac disease, a food intolerance, or inflammatory bowel disease — those need a GP, not another supermarket electrolyte drink.
Recent travel, hospital admission or antibiotics raise the chance of a cause that needs tests.
How should I look after it at home?
Drink plenty of water or squash in small sips. A pharmacist can supply oral rehydration salts. Eat when you feel able. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks. Wash hands with soap and water. Stay off work, school and swimming until 48 hours after the last episode.
Do not give anti-diarrhoea medicine to children under 12 unless a clinician says so. Find a GPhC-registered pharmacy on Pick My Pharmacy.
When is it 111 or 999?
Use 111 or a GP for diarrhoea lasting more than seven days, blood or mucus, severe pain, high fever, or dehydration that is not improving with sachets. Call 999 for severe dehydration, confusion, collapse, or black stool with looking very unwell. Children who have not had a wet nappy, or babies who have stopped feeding, need 111 the same day.
In England, Scotland and Wales call 111 (NHS 24 in Scotland). In Northern Ireland there is no general 111 — use GP out-of-hours on nidirect. See pharmacy, GP, 111 or A&E if you are stuck on the door.
Can medicines or long-term gut problems cause diarrhoea?
Yes. Antibiotics disturb gut bacteria and can cause loose stools. Contact a GP or 111 if diarrhoea is severe, bloody, or starts during or after a course of antibiotics. Longer or repeated diarrhoea may be IBS, coeliac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease — those need a GP, not another supermarket electrolyte drink.
Recent travel, hospital admission or unexplained weight loss also raise the chance of a cause that needs tests. Night-time diarrhoea that wakes you is worth a GP review even if daytime stools look milder.
How do I stop diarrhoea spreading at work or school?
Stay off work, school and swimming until 48 hours after the last episode — that is standard infection-control advice, not optional politeness. Wash hands with soap and water. Gel hand rub is less reliable against some tummy bugs. Do not prepare food for other people while you are infectious.
Clean taps, flushes and door handles. Wash soiled laundry separately on a hot wash. Do not share towels. A three-day bug is gastroenteritis. Weeks of change belongs with a GP.
A pharmacist can supply oral rehydration sachets if plain water is not keeping up with losses.
A pharmacist can supply oral rehydration sachets if plain water is not keeping up with losses, especially for older people.
Who should skip this page?
Skip this page if you are already collapsing, confused, or passing black stool and look very unwell — that is 999. It is not a coeliac test, not an IBS diet plan, and not the children’s vomiting fluid steps. Unexplained weight loss with diarrhoea belongs with a GP this week.
Common questions about diarrhoea
- How long should diarrhoea last?
- NHS advice is that infectious diarrhoea usually stops within five to seven days. See a GP or 111 if it lasts more than a week, keeps returning, or you have lost weight without trying. Night-time diarrhoea that wakes you is worth a GP review even if daytime stools look milder.
- Should I stop eating when I have diarrhoea?
- Eat when you feel able — small, plain meals are often easier. Avoid fatty or spicy food and fizzy drinks or fruit juice, which can worsen diarrhoea. Fluids matter more than food in the first hours. Breastfeeding and usual-strength formula should continue in babies.
- Can antibiotics cause diarrhoea?
- Yes. Antibiotics disturb gut bacteria and can cause loose stools. Contact a GP or 111 if diarrhoea is severe, bloody, or starts during or after a course of antibiotics — that can be a more serious gut infection and needs prompt assessment. Do not stop a prescribed course without advice.
- When is diarrhoea dangerous for children?
- Children dehydrate quickly. Use 111 for fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes, or a baby under 12 months who has stopped feeding. Call 999 if they are floppy, confused, struggling to breathe, or have blood in the stool and look very unwell. See the children's vomiting guide for the fluid plan.
- Should I take anti-diarrhoea medicine?
- A pharmacist can advise adults who need a few hours of control. It is not for children under 12 unless a clinician says so, and not if there is blood, a high fever, or suspected food poisoning with severe pain. Most people recover with fluids alone. Follow the pack if you are offered a product.
- Do I need to stay off work with diarrhoea?
- Yes, until 48 hours after the last episode — that is standard infection-control advice, not optional politeness. The same 48-hour rule applies to school, nursery and swimming. Wash hands with soap and water. Do not prepare food for other people while you are infectious.