Pathology: Defined as loose, watery stools of less than 14 days, can be bloody or non-bloody
Aetiology: Infective Bloody Diarrhoea: Escherichia Coli, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia,
Amoebic Dysentery and Salmonella
Infective Non-Bloody Diarrhoea: Norovirus, Clostridium Difficile, Giardia, Cholera,
Strongyloides, Escherichia Coli or Malaria
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhoea
Signs: Pyrexia, systemically unwell
Investigations: Bloods: FBC shows a raised white cell count and raised CRP
Microbiology: Stool cultures
Imaging: Abdominal X-ray to assess for toxic megacolon, perforation or ileus
Other: If lasts longer than 4-6 weeks or patient is systemically unwell then should
be considered for flexible sigmoidoscopy
Treatment: Conservative: Rehydration
Medical: Antibiotics for infection: erythromycin, ciprofloxacin or metronidazole
Complications: Dehydration
Prognosis: Good prognosis with adequate fluid resuscitation
