Diarrhea is most commonly caused by a viral infection. It is important to stay hydrated so drink clear liquids such as Gatorade or soda. Avoid fruit juices as they can sometimes make the diarrhea worse. If the only thing you have is fruit juice, than do half water and the other half fruit juice. If you do not have nausea or vomiting, you can eat. Try to adhere to what we refer to as a "BRATT" diet, Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Tea and Toast. You can try over the counter anti-diarrheal medicines, such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol. Follow the directions on the label. After your symptoms resolve, avoid fatty foods or foods that may be hard to digest for 48-72 hours. It may be a few days or more before everything is back to normal. These viral infections are contagious. To prevent passing it on to friends and family, wash your hands frequently and wipe down common shared areas. Call Student Health Services if you have persistent diarrhea for more than 3 days or diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, bloody stools, high fever, or extreme weakness.
