Diarrhoea, Acute Non-Inflammatory
Description General Measures Medicine Treatment ICD-10 code: A04.1 DESCRIPTION Diarrhoea without macroscopic blood or mucus, or neutrophils on microscopy. Common causes include viruses and enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli. Note: Neutropenic patients may have inflammatory diarrhoea in the absence of neutrophils. GENERAL MEASURES Rehydration is the cornerstone of management. This should be done w
ICD-10 code: A04.1
DESCRIPTION
Diarrhoea without macroscopic blood or mucus, or neutrophils on microscopy. Common causes include viruses and enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli.
Note:
Neutropenic patients may have inflammatory diarrhoea in the absence of neutrophils.
GENERAL MEASURES
Rehydration is the cornerstone of management. This should be done with oral rehydration solution (ORS) unless the patient is vomiting or profoundly dehydrated.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
- Loperamide, oral, 4 mg immediately, followed by 2 mg after each loose stool.
- Maximum dose: refer to dose table below.
| Weight band | Maximum daily dose (equivalent maximum number of 2 mg tablets per day) |
| 34-39 kg | 10 mg (5 tablets) |
| 40-46 kg | 12 mg (6 tablets) |
| 47-53 kg | 14 mg (7 tablets) |
| ≥ 54 kg | 16 mg (8 tablets) |
Click here for the NEMLC Recommendations for medicine treatement (2020-4 review cycle).
Standard Treatment Guidelines And Essential Medicines List For South Africa, Adult Hospital level, 2020-4_Version 1_July 2024
Chapter 1: Alimentary tract; 1.3 Diarrhoea; 1.3.3 Diarrhoea, Acute Non-Inflammatory