Diarrhoea is when someone passes three or more loose or watery stools within 24 hours. It can come suddenly and last a few days (acute diarrhoea), or it can continue for more than two weeks (persistent diarrhoea). When the stool has visible blood or mucus, it is called dysentery.
Diarrhoea is one of the most common illnesses in Uganda, especially among children, but it affects adults too. It can cause dehydration, which can become life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Through Hope Plus, you can talk to a licensed healthcare provider in minutes about diarrhoea or any stomach-related problem. Hope Plus helps you get professional advice on what to do, which medicines to use safely, and when to visit a health facility—especially for children and older adults who are more at risk.
Key Takeaways
- Diarrhoea means passing three or more watery stools in 24 hours.
- It can be caused by infections, unsafe food, or other illnesses.
- The biggest danger is dehydration, which needs quick treatment.
- Most cases can be managed with oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplements.
- Handwashing, safe water, and vaccination help prevent diarrhoea.
Types of Diarrhoea
- Acute diarrhoea: Starts suddenly and lasts less than 14 days.
- Persistent diarrhoea: Lasts more than 14 days.
- Dysentery: Diarrhoea with blood or mucus in the stool.
Causes of Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can result from many causes, including infections, poor hygiene, and certain diseases.
Infectious causes
- Viruses: Rotavirus, Norovirus, measles virus, hepatitis A or E, and Ebola.
- Bacteria: Vibrio cholerae (cholera), E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter.
- Parasites (protozoa): Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and malaria.
- Worms (helminths): Strongyloides and Schistosoma (bilharzia).
Other causes
- Infections like measles or malaria, which can irritate the intestines.
- Malnutrition (e.g. kwashiorkor).
- Certain drugs, such as long-term use of antibiotics or laxatives.
- Lactose intolerance or other food sensitivities.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – persistent diarrhoea, often with blood.
- HIV-related diarrhoea.
- Travellers’ diarrhoea, often from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
- Metabolic problems, such as diabetes or thyroid disease.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Passing loose or watery stools several times a day.
- Abdominal cramps or stomach pain.
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Reduced urine output or dark urine
- Weakness or dizziness
- Loss of skin elasticity (skin stays folded when pinched)
- Fever or vomiting.
- Blood or mucus in the stool (in dysentery).
- Signs of malnutrition if diarrhoea lasts for more than 14 days.
If dehydration or blood in stool occurs, or if the person is very young, old, or weak, seek medical help immediately.
How It Is Diagnosed
Doctors may ask about recent food, travel, or illnesses, then do the following tests if needed:
- Stool tests to check for bacteria, parasites, or viruses.
- Blood tests if the person is very sick, dehydrated, or has signs of another illness.
Red Flag Signs (When to Seek Emergency Care)
- High fever.
- Very young (under 5 years) or elderly person with diarrhoea.
- Blood in stool or signs of dysentery.
- Diarrhoea after travel from an area with cholera or typhoid.
- Confusion, failure to feed, or signs of shock (very weak, cold hands, fast pulse).
Go to the nearest health facility or call a healthcare provider through Hope Plus if you notice any of these signs.
Treatment and Management
The main goal in treating diarrhoea is to prevent or correct dehydration and treat the underlying cause.
1. Replace lost fluids
- Use Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) at home.
- Mix a full sachet in clean, boiled, and cooled water.
- Drink small sips frequently, even if vomiting.
- In severe dehydration, IV fluids like normal saline or Ringer’s lactate are given in hospital.
2. Use Zinc Supplementation
- Children older than 6 months: 20 mg of zinc once daily for 10–14 days.
- Infants below 6 months: 10 mg daily for 10–14 days.
Zinc helps the intestines heal faster and reduces future diarrhoea episodes.
3. Nutrition Support
- Continue feeding, especially breastfeeding for infants.
- Give easily digestible foods such as porridge, matooke, rice, or potatoes.
- For persistent diarrhoea, vitamin A supplements may be given (especially in children).
- Prevent or treat undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
4. Treat the Cause (if needed)
- Avoid unnecessary antibiotics—they are not needed for most viral diarrhoeas.
- If a bacterial or parasitic infection is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe the right medicine.
- For persistent diarrhoea in adults, codeine phosphate may be used to slow bowel movement under medical supervision.
5. Hospital Referral
Patients with severe dehydration, persistent diarrhoea, or those not improving with home care should be referred to hospital for further management.
Prevention Tips
You can reduce your risk of diarrhoea by:
- Washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.
- Using clean drinking water (boiled or treated).
- Proper waste disposal to prevent contamination.
- Vaccination against measles, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and polio.
- Reporting suspected outbreaks such as cholera or hepatitis A/E to health authorities quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When should I worry about diarrhoea?
If it lasts more than two days, contains blood, or causes dehydration, see a healthcare provider immediately.
2. Can diarrhoea be treated at home?
Yes, mild diarrhoea can often be managed with ORS and zinc, but medical care is needed if symptoms worsen.
3. Should I give food or stop feeding during diarrhoea?
Continue feeding, especially breastfeeding for infants. Food helps the body recover faster.
4. What causes blood in stool during diarrhoea?
Blood usually means infection or damage in the intestines, such as dysentery or typhoid. Seek treatment quickly.
5. Are antibiotics always needed?
No. Most diarrhoea is caused by viruses and gets better with fluids and rest. Only use antibiotics if prescribed.
6. How can I prevent my child from getting diarrhoea often?
Make sure they are vaccinated, use clean water, wash hands often, and feed them safely prepared meals.
7. Is diarrhoea dangerous?
It can be, especially for children and older adults, because of dehydration. Quick treatment saves lives.
