Practice Guidelines for the Management of Infectious Diarrhea
Practice Guidelines for the Management of Infectious Diarrhea
Clinical Infectious Diseases 2001; 32:331–50
The widening array of recognized enteric pathogens and the increasing demand for cost-containment sharpen the need for careful clinical and public health guidelines based on the best evidence currently available. Adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement and maintenance are key to managing diarrheal illnesses. Thorough clinical and epidemiological evaluation must define the severity and type of illness, exposures, and whether the patient is immunocompromised, in order to direct the performance of selective diagnostic cultures, toxin testing, parasite studies, and the administration of antimicrobial therapy.