Pediatric Diarrhea: History is the Primary Diagnostic Tool

Diagnosing the cause of diarrhea is not always the most important thing we have to do. Often, pediatric patients present to the emergency department very well-appearing after one or two days of some watery diarrhea. Most of the time I don’t do any diagnostic work other than my history and physical exam – blood work and a stool PCR panel don’t change my management in an otherwise well-appearing child. The majority of children will improve without significant intervention other than supportive care and hydration at home. In the acutely ill, dehydrated and sick looking kid with a week of fever and bloody diarrhea, finding out the exact cause can be much more crucial.

 The Most Effective Diarrhea Remedies To Get You Off Of The Toilet ASAP—Plus What To *Avoid*

The squirts. Toilet tornados. Fecal fireworks. Watery stools. A volcanic eruption of the butt variety. Whatever you call it, diarrhea sucks.

Bringing Your Own Antibiotics On Vacation Could Do More Harm Than Good

People who travel to exotic locales and take along their own antibiotics are more likely to come back colonized with resistant bacteria, according to a new Finnish study.

EM@3AM – Diarrhea

Uncomplicated, acute diarrhea => Viral and non-invasive bacterial gastroenteritis are frequently self-limited. Consider an anti-motility agent in the non-toxic appearing adult patient (avoid in elderly patients, pediatric patients, and in individuals reporting recent antibiotic use/hospitalization=> may predispose to toxic megacolon or hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)).

Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diarrhea

These guidelines are intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for children and adults with suspected or confirmed infectious diarrhea. They are not intended to replace physician judgement regarding specific patients or clinical or public health situations. This document does not provide detailed recommendations on infection prevention and control aspects related to infectious diarrhea.

Management of acute diarrhea in the emergency department...

Acute infectious diarrhea is a leading cause of both outpatient visits and ED admissions. Our study showed that the management of acute diarrhea in our ED is suboptimal, with incomplete adherence to practice guidelines. This resulted in unnecessary prescription of antibiotics, significant use of healthcare resources, and increased costs. Staff training and education may lead to substantial savings as well as improved patient care.

Practice Guidelines for the Management of Infectious Diarrhea

The widening array of recognized enteric pathogens and the increasing demand for cost-containment sharpen the need for careful clinical and public health guidelines based on the best evidence currently available. Adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement and maintenance are key to managing diarrheal illnesses.

Role of multiplex PCR in the management of acute infectious diarrhea in a hospital setting – a single center retrospective study

In acute infectious diarrhea Multiplex PCR is a usefull tool to rapidly identify the causative agent and exclude the necessity of isolation in the majority of cases. In spite of all medical and economical advantages Multiplex PCR testing has not been established widely so far.