27 October 2025
Diarrhoea is common and many cases improve with self-care. However, severe, worsening or persistent symptoms can require medical assessment. Recognising warning signs can help you seek care at the right time.
How Long Should Diarrhoea Last?
Gastroenteritis usually improves within a few days, although symptoms can sometimes last from seven to ten days or longer. See a healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe, are getting worse, or are not going away after three or four days.
Signs of Dangerous Diarrhoea
Seek medical advice if you have:
- Blood in your diarrhoea or vomit.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Repeated vomiting and an inability to keep fluids down.
- Symptoms that are severe or getting worse.
- Signs of dehydration, including dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth or reduced urination.
A high fever can accompany gastrointestinal infection. Fever alone cannot reliably determine whether diarrhoea is bacterial or viral.
Diarrhoea and Self-Care
- Drink additional fluid after each episode of diarrhoea. Drink mostly water and consider oral rehydration fluid from a pharmacy if needed.
- Eat as normally as possible but avoid rich or high-fat foods while symptoms continue.
- Avoid food and drinks that you know worsen your symptoms. Dairy may trigger diarrhoea in people with lactose intolerance, but it does not need to be routinely excluded by everyone.
- Caffeine may trigger loose stools in some people.
Severe Dehydration
Severe dehydration requires urgent medical care. Warning signs can include confusion, a rapid pulse, fainting or loss of consciousness.
Who is More Vulnerable?
Young children, older or frail people, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of dehydration and should be monitored closely. Babies younger than six months with vomiting or diarrhoea need urgent assessment by a health professional.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Speak with your healthcare professional for advice that reflects your individual health needs