Diarrhea is a common health issue that can range from a mild, temporary condition to a potentially life-threatening one. Acute diarrhea typically lasts less than two weeks and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Viral infections like adenovirus, rotavirus, influenza, and norovirus are frequent culprits. In contrast, some infections, such as those caused by parasites, can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Common causes of diarrhea include bacterial infections, viruses, food poisoning, difficulties in digesting certain foods (food intolerance), food allergies (such as milk allergy), and parasites entering the body through food or water. While most types of infectious diarrhea do not require antibiotics since they are usually mild and self-limiting, treatment should be considered for severe infections, including those necessitating hospitalization, for immunocompromised individuals, and those with risk factors for complicated diseases.
Parasites and certain bacterial infections may need treatment with medications. Children with a severely weakened immune system are particularly at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms of diarrhea include fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration, which can occur 12 to 72 hours after infection.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is the most common cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients and a major bacteria causing infections in hospitals. The CDC has labeled C. diff as “an urgent threat.” This infection is more common after antibiotic therapy or hospitalization and is particularly dangerous for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Zoonotic diseases, like those transmitted from cats, can also cause diarrhea. Cryptosporidium organisms, for example, can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected cat feces, posing a significant risk, especially to immunocompromised individuals.
Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the intestines, is another common cause of diarrhea in adults, leading to symptoms like abdominal cramps, nausea, and loss of appetite. The two main causes of gastroenteritis are viral and bacterial infections.
Gastrointestinal parasites in cats, which can be wormlike or protozoan, are also a concern, as they can cause nonspecific symptoms like a dull coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and pale mucous membranes in cats. The prevalence of these parasites can be as high as 45% in some cat populations.
For more detailed information on these topics, please refer to the following sources:
Harvard Health Bowel Problems
University of Rochester Medical Center Acute Infectious Diarrhea
Guidelines for Treatment of Acute Infectious Diarrhea
Viruses, Bacteria, and Parasites in the Digestive Tract
Harvard Health on C. difficile
Zoonotic Disease from Cats
Gastroenteritis In Adults – Harvard Health
Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats
