Risk Factors For Diarrhea
The most common risk factor for diarrhea is an infection (acute diarrhea) that starts suddenly. Such infections may occur due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites. (8)
Examples include:
- Food poisoning
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Stomach flu
Food Poisoning
Whenever someone consumes food contaminated with bacteria, they experience food poisoning. Infected foods produce toxins that cause illness.
Food poisoning is caused by improper food handling, poor sanitation, and improper temperature for food storage.
- The duration of diarrhea: Usually no more than two days
- Activated by: Toxins found in food
- Symptoms appearance: Between two and six hours after consuming the food
- Description: Watery, Explosive
- Other symptoms: Weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps
Traveler’s Diarrhea
The diarrhea is caused by consuming water or food that is contaminated with parasites or bacteria. Please call your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea and drank untreated water from a river, stream, or pond.
- The duration of diarrhea: Usually no more than 7 days
- Activated by: Water or food that is contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or parasites
- Symptoms appearance: About 12 hours to 24 hours
- Description: Often contains blood or mucus, explosive, watery
- Other symptoms: Fever and possibly vomiting
Stomach Flu
In the case of stomach flu, also called gastroenteritis, the cause is a virus, but not the same one that causes seasonal flu (influenza). The viruses rotavirus and norovirus can cause stomach flu. Bacterium or parasites can also serve as a cause for gastroenteritis.
- The duration of diarrhea: Generally between three and eight days
- Activated by: A parasite, virus, or bacterium
- Symptoms appearance: Within two days after exposure
- Description: Watery
- Other symptoms: Vomiting, achiness, fever.