Diarrhea, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms
Content provided by Healthwise
When to See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:Have you had severe diarrhea?
See significance of severe diarrhea if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
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Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Do you have symptoms of moderate dehydration?
Have you had severe diarrhea for 24 hours or longer?
Do you have vomiting that makes it hard to drink enough to replace the lost fluids?
Do you have diabetes?
Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?
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You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
- Yes
Do you have symptoms of mild dehydration for longer than 48 to 72 hours?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Last updated: | April 28, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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