Management of acute infectious diarrhoea

What decides the management

Two things, taken in order: how severe the infection is, and which organism it is. The first decides the fluid and the route it is given by; the second decides whether an antibiotic is added and which one.

How severe the infection is

• Mild infections with the invasive pathogens and viruses usually require only oral fluid and electrolyte replacement. No antibiotic, and no drip.
• More severe infections require IV fluids and oral antibiotics. The page names what makes an infection severe: high fever, abdominal pain, tachycardia, and hypotension.
• Antibiotic therapy of an invasive pathogen is with a fluoroquinolone such as ciprofloxacin.

So an antibiotic is added because the infection is severe, and the organism then names which antibiotic.