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Essentials of Diagnosis
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Acute diarrhea: lasts < 2 weeks
Chronic diarrhea: lasts > 2 weeks
Mild diarrhea: 3 or fewer stools per day
Moderate diarrhea: 4 or more stools per day with local symptoms (abdominal cramps, nausea, tenesmus)
Severe diarrhea: 4 or more stools per day with systemic symptoms (fever, chills, dehydration)
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General Considerations
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Acute diarrhea can be caused by several different factors, including
Emotional stress
Food intolerances
Inorganic agents (eg, sodium nitrite)
Organic substances (eg, mushrooms, shellfish)
Medications
Infectious agents (including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa)
Inflammatory diarrhea
Noninflammatory diarrhea
The term "food poisoning" denotes diseases caused by toxins present in consumed foods
Epidemiologic features may be helpful in determining etiology:
Recent hospitalization or antibiotic use suggests C difficile
Recent foreign travel suggests Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E coli, or V cholerae
Undercooked hamburger suggests STEC
Outbreak in long-term care facility, school, or cruise ship suggests norovirus (including newly identified strains, eg, GII.4 Sydney)
Fried rice consumption is associated with Bacillus cereus toxin
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