PATIENT INFORMATION
Diarrhoea (Antibiotic associated)
What is Diarrhoea (Antibiotic associated) โ
Antibiotics can cause frequent loose and watery stools (faeces) ๐ฉ
Causes: disruption of the digestive system (simple side effect) or a bacterial infection of the bowel (by C. difficile) ๐ฆ
What are the Symptoms of Diarrhoea โ
Diarrhoea ๐ฝ
Cramping stomach pain
Vomiting ๐คฎ
Possibly mucus, pus or blood in the stool
How do you Diagnose Diarrhoea โ
Patient symptom assessment ๐
Stool sample (to test for infection)
Blood test (to test for infection) ๐
How do you Treat Diarrhoea โ
Stop the antibiotic
Self-care advice such as more fluids/rehydration salt and good hygiene ๐งผ
In severe cases, hospital admission
If infected, patient may have to have another antibiotic ๐
Why should I Worry about Diarrhoea โ
In most cases, diarrhoea will resolve without need for treatment โ
Infection can be contagious until symptoms stop
High risk of recurrence of infection โฉ๏ธ
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