Diarrhoea — which specialty
Loose stools several times a day.
Usually seen by
GastroenterologyInfectious diseases
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- General internal medicine — if it has lasted beyond four weeks
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- Blood in the stool
- High fever with shivering
- Signs of dehydration: marked thirst, very little urine, dizziness on standing, dry lips
- Diarrhoea in a small child or an older person — the threshold for being seen is far lower
- Diarrhoea after returning from abroad
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- How many times a day, and since when
- Whether there is blood, mucus, or a greasy film
- Whether anyone who ate with you has the same
- Where you have been recently and what you ate that was unusual
- Whether you are taking or have just finished antibiotics
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- A record of how many times a day
- Recent travel history
- The names of any recent antibiotics
What a first visit usually involves
- Assessment of dehydration — the most urgent part
- Stool tests if it is prolonged, bloody, or follows antibiotics
- Fluid replacement first, cause second