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Acute diarrhoea in adults: assessment, dehydration, stool tests, and antibiotics (when needed)

A chapter-bounded Australian summary of acute diarrhoea in adults: assessment, dehydration, stool tests, and antibiotics (when needed), using exact named Queensland PCCM content and any exact national source listed on this page.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis is a Queensland implementation source. Apply only the cited chapter scope and verify the equivalent state or territory pathway.

Scope

Acute adult gastroenteritis and dehydration assessment under the exact Queensland PCCM chapter. Persistent diarrhoea, chronic inflammatory disease and travel-specific treatment require separate sources.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

The Bottom Line

  • Assess diarrhoea duration, frequency, blood, vomiting, fever, pain, travel, exposure, medicines, immune status and hydration.
  • Rehydration is the central initial treatment, with route determined by clinical dehydration, vomiting and ability to drink.
  • Most uncomplicated acute gastroenteritis is self-limiting and does not require empirical antimicrobial treatment.
  • Stool testing is reserved for severe, bloody, prolonged, travel-related, outbreak, immunocompromised or otherwise pathway-defined presentations.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

Practical clinical workflow

1
Record observations, urine output and hydration and examine the abdomen for focal tenderness, guarding or obstruction.
2
Consider DKA, appendicitis, obstruction, medication effect, inflammatory disease and other alternatives when the presentation is atypical.
3
Provide oral rehydration and food and hygiene advice, and use intravenous support only within appropriate clinical scope and monitoring.
4
Assign result ownership and review persistent symptoms or deterioration rather than repeating empirical treatment.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Shock, severe dehydration, bloody diarrhoea with systemic illness, peritonism, marked pain or inability to retain fluid requires urgent hospital assessment.
  • Public-health advice is required for suspected outbreaks, certain pathogens or food-handler and institutional exposure according to jurisdiction rules.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

Implementation

Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis is a Queensland source. It supplies an Australian implementation example, not a national rule. Confirm the equivalent pathway, referral destination and medicine policy in the patient’s state or territory. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO–RACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:Queensland PCCM adult gastroenteritis

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Queensland Health and Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland SectionPrimary Clinical Care Manual, 12th edition: Gastroenteritis and dehydration — adultISBN 978-1-876560-22-5; Gastroenteritis and dehydration — adult, pp. 202–204 · 12th edition 2025, v1.03 with updates through 21 July 2026; exact chapter at printed pages 202–204 · accessed 2026-08-20
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