Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Have you had severe diarrhea?
See significance of severe diarrhea if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have symptoms of moderate dehydration?
Yes Have you had severe diarrhea for 24 hours or longer?
Yes Do you have vomiting that makes it hard to drink enough to replace the lost fluids?
Yes Do you have diabetes?
Yes Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Do you have symptoms of mild dehydration for longer than 48 to 72 hours?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
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