- Loose, watery or unformed stools
- Frequent passing of stools
- Urgency (the need to go to the toilet without delay)
- Abdominal cramping (colic) and pain may occur, and in some cases nausea and vomiting may be present
In most cases, an acute episode of diarrhoea will resolve itself within 48 hours without medical intervention.
Diarrhoea of longer duration or that is accompanied by more severe symptoms (e.g. pain, fever, vomiting, excessive thirst, decreased urination, or the presence of blood or mucus in the stool) should be investigated by a doctor immediately.
Medical advice should also be sought if the patient is a child, elderly, or has a chronic medical condition (e.g. heart or kidney disease).