Coping with sickness and diarrhoea 

Getting to grips with sickness and diarrhoea

Being sick and having diarrhoea is often the body’s response to try and expel potentially harmful substances caused by a stomach bug or similar. These symptoms can also occur due to the irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (causing sickness) and inflammation of the large intestine. This inflammation means more fluid is retained in stools, making them much looser which can lead to diarrhoea. Although sickness and diarrhoea is an unpleasant illness to have, it’s typically short lived for most people and will naturally resolve. However, if it goes on for more than a couple of days, it can cause dehydration and other complications.   

The NHS states that sickness should typically stop within 1-2 days, while diarrhoea should usually clear up within 5-7 days. 

What causes sickness and diarrhoea?

Sickness and diarrhoea are most commonly brought on by either a stomach bug or food poisoning. See the treatment section in this article for information and advice on how to manage the symptoms at home.  

Common stomach bugs include norovirus, while food poisoning can be triggered by the presence of bacteria such as Salmonella or E.coli in something you’ve consumed.  

If you’ve developed sickness and diarrhoea after travelling, you may need to be treated with prescription medication. We’d recommend contacting your GP in this instance or consulting your pharmacist for advice.  

Other sources of sickness can include: 

• Being pregnant (most common in the first 12-14 weeks) 

• Experiencing a migraine 

• Inner ear infections  

• Travel sickness  (Explore treatment option)

• Side effects of some medicines 

• Other infections, including UTIs 

• In babies, a condition known as reflux leads to bringing milk back up 

Other causes of diarrhoea can include: 

• Side effects of some medicines such as certain antibiotics and antacids 

• Certain medical conditions like IBS, appendicitis, IBD, coeliac disease, or diverticular disease 

• Stress and/or anxiety 

• Food allergies or intolerances 

• Radiotherapy or other radiation treatment around the pelvis 

How can sickness and diarrhoea be treated?

The most important treatment for sickness and diarrhoea is fluid replacement, particularly in children and older people. Explore treatment options here

This helps to reduce the risk of dehydration. Try to take sips of water and when you feel like you can, opt for foods that are easy to digest such as soup, rice, pasta, and bread.  

Your pharmacist may also recommend different treatment solutions including: 

• Rehydration therapy to replace lost fluids and salts to help prevent dehydration. Rehydration products are available as powders or effervescent tablets (to be dissolved in water). Always read the patient information leaflet and follow the dosage instructions. 

• Antidiarrheals – medication such as loperamide* helps slow down the passage of food in the intestines, allowing more water to be absorbed and reducing the frequency of diarrhoea. 

*Loperamide should only be used for short-term relief of acute, non-infectious diarrhoea, or as advised by a healthcare professional.

Preventing the spread of sickness and diarrhoea

If you’re recovering from sickness and diarrhoea, there are things you can do to help minimise the spread of infection. These include: 

• Regular handwashing with soap and water 

• Disinfect high-contact areas in the house daily, including toilet seats and flushes, work surfaces, door handles, and other shared areas 

• Wash bedding and clothes that may have been contaminated while you were ill on a hot wash 

• If you can, avoid preparing food for others while you’re getting better 

• Avoid public places such as swimming pools for at least 48 hours after your last symptoms