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Enteritis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

Mild cases usually need no treatment.

Antidiarrheal medication may delay the organism from leaving the digestive tract, and therefore may not be recommended.

Rehydration with electrolyte solutions may be necessary if dehydration occurs.

Persons with diarrhea (especially young children) who are unable to drink fluids because of nausea may need medical care and intravenous fluids.

If you take diuretics and develop diarrhea, you may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode. Do not stop taking any medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Expectations (prognosis):

The illness usually runs its course without treatment in a few days.

Complications:

• Dehydration
• Prolonged diarrhea

Note: The diarrhea can cause rapid and extreme dehydration in babies.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if diarrhea does not go away in 3 - 4 days or there is blood in the stools.

Call your health care provider if dehydration or other new symptoms develop.

• Review Date: 5/3/2007
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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