Diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial gut infection and settles within a few days with fluids and rest. Blood in stool, high fever, severe abdominal pain, dehydration, or diarrhoea lasting more than a week needs medical assessment. Chronic diarrhoea (over 4 weeks) always deserves investigation.
Key information
- Symptom
- Diarrhoea
- Category
- Digestive system
- Common possible causes
- Viral gastroenteritis, Food poisoning (bacterial), Travellers’ diarrhoea, Antibiotic-associated
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, CRP, Urea and electrolytes, Liver function
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Diarrhoea is passing loose or watery stools ≥3 times a day. Acute is <2 weeks; chronic is >4 weeks.
Common possible causes
- · Viral gastroenteritis
- · Food poisoning (bacterial)
- · Travellers’ diarrhoea
- · Antibiotic-associated
- · Irritable bowel syndrome
- · Lactose intolerance
- · Anxiety
Less common possible causes
- · Inflammatory bowel disease
- · Coeliac disease
- · Overactive thyroid
- · Parasitic infection (Giardia)
- · Microscopic colitis
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Severe dehydration
- · C. difficile infection
- · Bowel cancer
- · Sepsis
- · Blood or black tarry stool
- · Severe abdominal pain
- · Dehydration — dizziness, minimal urine, confusion
- · High fever
- · Diarrhoea after recent antibiotic use
- · Diarrhoea with unexplained weight loss
- · Diarrhoea in a pregnant woman or immunosuppressed person
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · Signs of dehydration
- · Blood in stool
- · Suspected food poisoning with fever
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Persistent loose stools without red flags
- · Suspected IBS or food intolerance
Questions a doctor may ask
- · How many bowel motions per day and for how long?
- · Any blood, mucus or unusual colour?
- · Any abdominal pain, fever or vomiting?
- · Recent travel or shared meals?
- · Any recent antibiotic use?
- · Any weight loss or night-time diarrhoea?
History factors that may matter
- · Recent travel
- · Recent antibiotic course
- · Family history of IBD or coeliac
- · Known IBS
Medicines that may contribute
- · Antibiotics
- · Metformin
- · Magnesium-containing supplements
- · Some cancer treatments
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · Hydration assessment
- · Abdominal examination
- · Rectal examination where indicated
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · CRP
- · Urea and electrolytes
- · Liver function
- · Coeliac screen
- · Thyroid function
Urine tests
- · Dipstick
Other tests
- · Stool culture and PCR (including C. difficile where indicated)
- · Faecal calprotectin for suspected IBD
- · Colonoscopy referral for chronic or red-flag diarrhoea
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Gastroenterology for chronic, bloody or unexplained diarrhoea
- · Emergency if severe dehydration or sepsis
Possible treatment approaches
- · Oral or IV rehydration
- · Antibiotics only for specific bacterial or parasitic infections
- · Loperamide only where appropriate (not with fever or bloody stool)
- · Treatment of underlying cause (IBS, IBD, coeliac)
Safe self-care
- · Oral rehydration solutions
- · BRAT-type bland diet as tolerated
- · Strict hand hygiene
- · Avoid dairy and fatty food temporarily
Best avoided
- · Loperamide with bloody or feverish diarrhoea
- · Ignoring blood in stool
- · Sharing food or bathrooms without hand hygiene
How Aafiyah can help
- · Same-day GP assessment in clinic or at home
- · Stool and blood testing
- · Home IV rehydration where needed
- · Gastroenterology referral for chronic cases
Related tests
Related conditions
- Gastroenteritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Coeliac disease
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a doctor for diarrhoea?+
See a doctor for blood in stool, high fever, severe pain, dehydration, recent antibiotic use, unexplained weight loss, or diarrhoea lasting more than a week. Chronic diarrhoea over 4 weeks always needs investigation.
Can I take loperamide?+
Loperamide can help simple travellers’ or IBS-type diarrhoea, but should be avoided if you have fever, blood in stool, or suspected C. difficile. Ask a GP if unsure.
Can I get IV fluids at home in Dubai for diarrhoea?+
Yes — DHA nurses can administer IV rehydration under GP supervision if you are dehydrated but do not need hospital admission.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Diarrhoea in adults — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Diarrhoea — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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