Types Of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is classified in several different ways. They include the following: (5)
- Acute diarrhea: An acute diarrheal episode lasts one to two days, and is characterized by loose, watery stools. A few days are usually enough for this type of infection to disappear.
- Persistent diarrhea: Diarrhea usually lasts for several weeks – at least two to four weeks.
- Chronic diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea is a condition in which a person has diarrhea more than four weeks after the episode occurs or comes and goes regularly for an extended period of time.
Acute Diarrhea
Viral gastroenteritis (viral gastroenteritis) is the leading cause of acute, watery diarrhea. Rotavirus is the most common for children, and norovirus is the most common for adults (it is sometimes referred to as “cruise ship diarrhea” due to well-publicized outbreaks). Often, travelers’ diarrhea is caused by bacteria. (6)