Abstract

Most viral and bacterial diarrhoeas in older children and adults are mild or stop by themselves. They need no specific chemotherapy and can be adequately controlled with symptomatic treatment. If an attack of diarrhoea lasts more than a day, or if it is accompanied by blood or pus in the stool, treatment should be started promptly with fluids, electrolytes, and demulcent or opiate drugs, and an attempt made to identify the infecting organism.