How to prevent diarrhea: simple, practical steps you can use today

Diarrhea usually starts from an infection, food that went bad, or a medicine side effect. The fastest way to avoid it is to cut risk where it begins: germs and careless eating. Below are clear, useful steps you can use at home or when traveling.

Quick prevention checklist

Keep hands clean — wash with soap for 20 seconds after the bathroom and before eating. Handwashing prevents more infections than any other single action. When you travel, use alcohol hand gel if soap isn’t available.

Watch what you eat — avoid undercooked meat, raw shellfish, and anything from a street vendor that’s been sitting out. Peel fruit yourself and skip salads at places where sanitation looks poor. At buffets, choose hot food and avoid items that have been left at room temperature.

Drink safely — use bottled or boiled water if tap water is suspect. Skip ice made from local tap water when abroad. For coffee or tea, drinking it hot is safer than iced drinks.

Store food properly — refrigerate leftovers within two hours, reheat thoroughly, and discard food that smells off. For kids and elderly people, be extra strict: a small mistake can cause severe symptoms.

Check your meds — some medicines cause loose stool. If a new drug gives you diarrhea, ask your prescriber about taking it with food, changing the dose, or switching to an alternative. For antibiotic-related diarrhea, certain probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus rhamnosus may help reduce the risk — talk to your pharmacist first.

What to do if diarrhea starts

Hydrate immediately — diarrhea removes water and salts fast. Use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) from the pharmacy. If you don’t have ORS, mix 1 liter of clean water with 6 teaspoons sugar and half a teaspoon salt. Sip often, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Eat gentle foods — the BRAT pattern (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is easy on the stomach. Avoid dairy, fatty or spicy food until things settle.

Consider short-term meds — loperamide can slow stool frequency for adults, and bismuth subsalicylate helps with traveler’s diarrhea. Avoid these if you have high fever or blood in the stool, and always follow the label or your doctor’s advice.

See a doctor if symptoms are severe — bloody stool, very high fever, signs of dehydration (dizziness, very dry mouth, little urine), or diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours in adults. Infants, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems should get medical advice sooner.

Small actions — better handwashing, safer food choices, and quick hydration — will cut your risk of diarrhea and make recovery faster when it does happen. If you travel often or have recurring problems, talk with your healthcare provider about vaccines or preventive steps tailored to you.