Diarrhoeal diseases (infective)

Infective diarrhoeal diseases occur where there is disruption of fluid absorption, fluid secretion, or there is exudation.

Refer previously healthy children with acute painful or bloody diarrhoea, to exclude E. coli O157 infection

Antibiotic therapy is not usually indicated unless patient is systemically unwell. If systemically unwell and campylobacter suspected (such as undercooked meat and abdominal pain), consider clarithromycin 250mg to 500mg BD for 5 to 7 days, if treated early (within 3 days).

If giardia is confirmed or suspected - tinidazole 2g single dose is the treatment of choice.

Reference:

1. Public Health England (June 2021). Managing common infections: guidance for primary care