OVERVIEW

What is other infectious diarrheal disease?

According to China's classification and management of infectious diseases: except for severe infectious diarrhea such as cholera, bacillary dysentery, typhoid, and paratyphoid, other infectious diarrhea caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc., are collectively referred to as "other infectious diarrhea."

"Other infectious diarrhea" is a broad category of common infectious diseases. The onset is usually acute, and clinical manifestations vary depending on the pathogen. Most cases do not require specific antiviral or antibacterial drugs, and patients can recover with symptomatic treatments like fluid replacement. However, a very small number of severe cases may develop complications such as severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or sepsis, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Is other infectious diarrheal disease common?

Yes. "Other infectious diarrheal disease" is widespread globally, often occurring sporadically but also capable of causing outbreaks.

What are the types of other infectious diarrheal disease?

Based on the pathogen, "other infectious diarrheal disease" can be classified into viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal categories. Each category can be further divided into subtypes, such as norovirus diarrhea, non-typhoidal Salmonella diarrhea, cryptosporidiosis diarrhea, etc.

What is infectious diarrhea?

Everyone has likely experienced "diarrhea," defined as passing loose or watery stools three or more times within a day. Infectious diarrhea refers to diarrhea caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi.

Besides pathogens, physical or chemical irritants (e.g., toxins, medications) can also cause diarrhea, but such cases are not classified as infectious diarrhea.

SYMPTOMS

What are the common manifestations of other infectious diarrheal diseases?

"Other infectious diarrheal diseases" typically have an acute onset, with an incubation period (the time from pathogen infection to symptom appearance) ranging from hours to days. Clinical manifestations vary in severity, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most prominent. These include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating. Bowel movements occur at least three times a day and may exceed ten times, with stools appearing watery, mucous, or containing pus and blood. Symptoms may also include poor appetite, dizziness, fatigue, and fever. The specific presentation depends on the causative pathogen.

Severe cases may exhibit signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, and reduced urine output, or even shock symptoms like confusion and cold, clammy limbs.

What severe complications can other infectious diarrheal diseases cause?

Most patients with "other infectious diarrheal diseases" experience mild symptoms and recover fully. However, a small number of individuals with weakened immunity or highly virulent pathogens may develop serious complications, such as:

• Severe dehydration leading to hypovolemic shock;
• Frequent, intense diarrhea and vomiting causing severe electrolyte imbalances, potentially triggering life-threatening arrhythmias;
• Pathogens entering the bloodstream, leading to sepsis or septic shock;
• Intestinal paralysis or perforation.

Without prompt treatment, these conditions can be fatal.

CAUSES

How do people contract other infectious diarrheal diseases?

People primarily contract "other infectious diarrheal diseases" through exposure to water or food contaminated with pathogens, or close contact with infected individuals or animals.

What pathogens cause other infectious diarrheal diseases?

Pathogens include viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The most common ones are norovirus, non-typhoidal Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium, etc.

Who is more susceptible to other infectious diarrheal diseases?

Anyone can contract "other infectious diarrheal diseases," but children, the elderly, and individuals with immunosuppression or chronic conditions (such as immunodeficiency disorders, cancer patients, HIV carriers, or long-term corticosteroid users) are more vulnerable and prone to severe cases.

Additionally, travelers from relatively affluent regions visiting poorer areas are more likely to develop bacterial-related infectious diarrhea, commonly known as "traveler's diarrhea."

Are other infectious diarrheal diseases contagious?

Yes. The pathogens causing these diseases—viruses, bacteria, or parasites—can spread through infected individuals, carriers, or animals.

Transmission mainly occurs via the fecal-oral route, where pathogens from feces contaminate drinking water or food, infecting healthy individuals upon consumption.

Close contact with infected animals or insect vectors like flies and cockroaches can also facilitate transmission.

Are other infectious diarrheal diseases hereditary?

No. These diseases are infectious and not hereditary.

DIAGNOSIS

How is other infectious diarrheal diseases diagnosed?

Based on factors such as the patient's season and region of onset, history of unclean diet, collective outbreaks, animal contact, exposure to contaminated water, residence in epidemic areas, as well as typical gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, corresponding signs, and disease course, doctors can make a preliminary diagnosis. However, confirmation requires obtaining etiological evidence—primarily through isolation and culture of fecal pathogens and other specific tests.

What tests are needed if other infectious diarrheal disease is suspected?

After a detailed medical history inquiry and physical examination, doctors may conduct the following tests:

• The most essential tests are stool examinations, including routine stool tests, fecal occult blood, stool culture, and parasite egg detection, to confirm the diagnosis.
• Patients without complications usually do not require blood tests.
• Patients with complications such as dehydration or confusion may need blood tests like blood glucose, electrolytes, and blood gas analysis.
• Patients with severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, or similar symptoms may require further imaging tests, such as abdominal CT, to rule out other diseases.

Which diseases are easily confused with other infectious diarrheal diseases? How to differentiate them?

"Other infectious diarrheal diseases" need to be distinguished from infectious diarrheal diseases like cholera, bacillary dysentery, typhoid, and paratyphoid, as well as non-infectious diarrheal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, neoplastic diarrhea, and functional diarrhea.

• "Infectious diarrhea" and "other infectious diarrhea" are easily confused in terms of symptoms, signs, and disease course. Accurate differentiation relies solely on etiological test results.
• "Non-infectious diarrhea" can be distinguished based on medical history, physical signs, family history, and necessary imaging tests (e.g., abdominal contrast-enhanced CT, colonoscopy).

TREATMENT

Which department should I visit for other infectious diarrheal diseases?

From May to October each year, designated hospitals open intestinal outpatient clinics, and patients with acute diarrhea must visit the intestinal outpatient clinic. During other periods, patients can go to the emergency department or gastroenterology department.

Can other infectious diarrheal diseases heal on their own?

The vast majority of "other infectious diarrheal diseases" are mild and self-limiting. As long as patients get adequate rest, eat properly, and drink plenty of water during the illness, they can recover on their own.

A very small number of patients may develop severe illness, depending on factors such as the type of pathogen, invasiveness, virulence, and underlying health conditions. If diarrhea is accompanied by persistent fever, bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, significant dehydration, impaired consciousness, or if the patient has multiple underlying conditions or a weak constitution, they should seek medical treatment early to avoid serious consequences.

How are other infectious diarrheal diseases treated?

Since diarrhea leads to significant loss of fluids and electrolytes, the focus of treatment for "other infectious diarrheal diseases" is to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

• For most mild cases, patients should drink plenty of water, eat small, frequent meals of liquid or semi-liquid foods, or take oral rehydration salts (ORS, which replenishes both water and electrolytes, available at pharmacies). Antibiotics are usually unnecessary.
• For a small number of severe cases, especially those with severe hypovolemic shock, intravenous rehydration is required, and doctors will develop a rehydration plan based on the specific situation. Additionally, depending on laboratory and pathogen test results and the patient's individual condition, doctors may prescribe antibiotics as appropriate.

In addition, some auxiliary medications may be beneficial, such as the intestinal mucosal protectant smectite or probiotics.

Do other infectious diarrheal diseases require hospitalization?

Except for severe cases, patients with "other infectious diarrheal diseases" generally do not require hospitalization and can be treated at home or observed in the intestinal outpatient clinic. Patients with high-risk factors or severe complications may need hospitalization.

Can other infectious diarrheal diseases be completely cured?

Yes, mild cases may even recover without medical treatment. Severe cases can also be cured as long as timely treatment is provided.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should patients with other infectious diarrheal diseases pay attention to in their diet?

• Mild cases can consume liquid foods (such as rice soup, fruit juice, sports drinks) or semi-liquid foods (such as rice porridge, noodles, wontons), avoiding high-fiber foods (like bamboo shoots, celery, leeks, whole grains, legumes, pineapple, etc.), greasy, and irritating foods (such as chili, ginger, garlic, curry, coffee, strong tea, etc.). Suspend milk and other dairy products to avoid osmotic diarrhea. Increase fluid intake appropriately based on diarrhea severity to prevent dehydration.
• Severe cases, especially those with serious complications, may require fasting and intravenous fluid/nutrition support, resuming oral intake as soon as symptoms improve.

What should patients with other infectious diarrheal diseases pay attention to in daily life?

• Ensure adequate rest, avoid fatigue and exercise.
• Properly handle feces, vomit, and other excreta to prevent disease transmission.
• Wash hands frequently, especially after using the toilet, before preparing food, and before meals.

Do patients with other infectious diarrheal diseases need follow-up? How?

Most cases are mild and self-limiting, not necessarily requiring medical attention. However, severe cases often need hospitalization, and follow-up is recommended after symptom resolution or discharge. Patients diagnosed with specific pathogens should undergo stool culture retesting to confirm pathogen clearance.

What should caregivers of patients with other infectious diarrheal diseases pay attention to?

• Provide a quiet rest environment, prepare easily digestible liquid/semi-liquid foods, and encourage adequate fluid intake.
• Monitor for additional symptoms like fever or bloody stools, seeking medical care if necessary.
• Practice frequent handwashing and proper disposal of vomit/feces to avoid cross-infection.

PREVENTION

How to prevent other infectious diarrheal diseases?

Yes. Specific measures include:

• Wash hands frequently with soap.
• Ensure drinking water safety. In countries or regions without direct drinking water, boil tap water before consumption.
• Safely handle and prepare food. Wash hands before food preparation, and keep raw and cooked utensils separate.
• Always wash hands thoroughly after contact with feces.
• Eliminate insect vectors such as flies and cockroaches.

High-risk groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases, should pay extra attention to the above preventive measures.

How to prevent recurrence of other infectious diarrheal diseases?

The pathogens causing "other infectious diarrheal diseases" are diverse. While infection with the same pathogen generally provides short-term immunity without cross-protection, the primary measures to prevent recurrence are the same as preventive measures—frequent handwashing, ensuring drinking water and food safety, and proper disposal of feces.

How can patients with other infectious diarrheal diseases prevent complications?

Most cases are mild, but some may progress to severe conditions, leading to complications such as dehydration, sepsis, or shock. Patients should focus on nutrition and fluid intake, eating small, frequent meals if tolerable and increasing water consumption. Oral rehydration salts can be used for frequent diarrhea. Monitor symptoms closely—seek immediate medical attention if experiencing severe or persistent diarrhea/vomiting, bloody stools, high fever, unrelieved abdominal pain, or confusion to prevent worsening conditions and serious consequences.