Treatment of diarrhea depends on its cause. Diarrhea caused by bacterial or parasite infection is often treated with antibiotics. Diarrhea caused by other factors, such as a stomach virus, often improves with simple home treatment. The tips below may also help ease your symptoms.

• Drink plenty of fluids. This helps prevent too much fluid loss (dehydration). Water, clear soups, and electrolyte solutions are good choices. Don't take alcohol, coffee, tea, or milk. These can irritate your intestines and make symptoms worse.

• Suck on ice chips if drinking makes you queasy.

• Return to your normal diet slowly. You may want to eat bland foods at first, such as rice and toast. Also, you may need to stay away from certain foods for a while, such as dairy products. These can make symptoms worse. Ask your healthcare provider if there are any other foods you should stay away from.

• If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed.

• Don't take anti-diarrhea medicines without asking your provider first.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: 

• A fever of 100.4° F ( 38.0°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider

• Chills

• Severe pain

• Worsening diarrhea or diarrhea for more than 2 days

• Bloody vomit or stool

• Signs of dehydration (dizziness, dry mouth and tongue, rapid pulse, dark urine)