Diarrhoea can range in severity from slightly watery faeces and a brief upset stomach to longer term, extremely watery faeces and cramping tummy pains. Many people have a frequent, urgent need to go to the toilet.
Other common symptoms associated with diarrhoea are:
- nausea or vomiting
- a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or higher
- headache
- loss of appetite
When to contact your GP
Babies
Contact your GP or health visitor urgently for advice if your baby has had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours.
Children
Contact your GP if your child has:
- had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours
- diarrhoea and is vomiting at the same time
- diarrhoea that is particularly watery
- diarrhoea that has blood in it
- diarrhoea that lasts for longer than two weeks
Adults
Contact your GP if you have:
- recently been treated in hospital
- recently been treated with antibiotics
- diarrhoea that has blood in it
- diarrhoea and persistent vomiting
- unexplained weight loss
- bleeding from your rectum (back passage)
- passed large volumes of very watery diarrhoea – you may be at risk of dehydration (see below)
- symptoms at night that are disturbing your sleep
- diarrhoea that lasts longer than a week
Symptoms of dehydration
If diarrhoea is severe or persistent, it can cause dehydration.
Dehydration in children
Symptoms of dehydration in children include:
- appearing to get more unwell
- being irritable or drowsy
- passing urine infrequently
- pale or mottled skin
- cold hands and feet
Dehydration in adults
Symptoms of dehydration in adults include:
- lacking energy or feeling tired
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- feeling light-headed
- dizziness, especially when standing up
- dry tongue
- sunken eyes
- muscle cramps
- rapid heartbeat
