Mild-moderate
- Self-limiting. Usual duration of diarrhea 3-5 days.
- Persistent diarrhea suggests protozoal causes: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Entamoeba histolytica, Microsporidia. See Treatment of Enteric Parasitic Infections.
Usual Pathogens
diarrheagenic E. coli
Campylobacter spp
Shigella spp
Salmonella spp
| Empiric Therapy | Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid replacement | ||
| + | ||
| Bismuth subsalicylate | 2 x 262 mg tabs chewed well q30-60 minutes | No more than 8 doses/day |
| +/- | ||
| Antimotility agents (e.g. loperamide) |
4mg PO x 1 dose, then 2mg after each loose stool |
Max 16mg/day for no more than 2 days |