Diarrhea%20in%20adults%20-%20infectious Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Definition

Diarrhea: Change in normal bowel movements characterized by increase in frequency, water content or volume of stools
- ≥3 episodes/day or at least 250 g/stool per day
Acute diarrhea: Diarrhea lasting <7 days duration
- Patient should not have had antibiotic treatment within the past 3 months, no prior hospitalizations and/or no diarrhea after >48 hours of hospital admission
Prolonged diarrhea: Diarrhea lasting 7-13 days
Persistent diarrhea: Diarrhea lasting ≥14 days but <30 days
Chronic diarrhea: May be considered as diarrhea lasting ≥30 days
Infectious diarrhea: Diarrhea of infectious origin (bacterial, viral, protozoal, fungal) and is usually associated with symptoms of nausea and vomiting (N/V), abdominal cramps and fever
Dysentery (invasive diarrhea): Presence of visible blood in diarrheic stool

Signs and Symptoms

Determine abrupt or gradual onset, duration and progression of symptoms
Onset and frequency of bowel movement
Amount of stool excreted
If dysenteric symptoms are present (eg fever, tenesmus, blood/pus in stool)

Associated Symptoms

Frequency and intensity of N/V, abdominal pain, cramps, myalgia, headache, altered sensorium

Stool Characteristics

Watery, bloody, purulent, greasy, with mucus

Signs and Symptoms of Volume Depletion

Thirst
Tachycardia
Orthostasis
Decreased urination
Lethargy

Risk Factors

Epidemiological Risk Factors

Place of residence
Travel to a developing country
Daycare attendance, employment
Ingestion of unsafe, rotten or ill-prepared foods (eg raw meats, eggs, shellfish, etc)
Swimming/drinking untreated fresh water
Visit to farm or contact with pets with diarrhea
Contact with other ill persons
Recent or regular medications (eg antibiotics, antacids, antimotility agents)
Underlying medical conditions (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS], immunosuppressed, elderly)
Receptive anal or oral-anal sexual contact
Occupation as food-handler or caregiver

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