Is it possible to have diarrhea and not be sick

Sometimes, diarrhea caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading throughout the body. It's almost impossible to prevent all cases diarrhea. But there are some ways to make it less likely:. Tell an adult if you have diarrhea, fever, vomiting, or severe belly pain.

That person can help you decide whether to call your doctor. If you feel listless and your mouth and skin feel dry, or if your bowel movements contain blood or mucus, you should contact or see a doctor right away.

Also go to the doctor if you are vomiting so much that you can't keep down fluids or if your symptoms last more than 3 days.

You'll feel better if you stay well hydrated, so drink lots of water. Electrolytes sodium and potassium are also lost and need to be replaced because the body cannot function properly without them. Try sipping broth or soup, which contain sodium, and diluted fruit juice with no added sugar , which contains potassium. When you feel ready to eat something more substantial, try soft fruits or vegetables, which also contain potassium.

Avoid milk products and fatty, high-fiber, or very sweet foods until the diarrhea eases. And don't drink sports drinks or soft drinks — they contain electrolytes, but their high sugar content can make diarrhea worse. As uncomfortable as diarrhea may be, it is usually short-lived.

Drink enough fluids and follow your doctor's instructions, and you feel better in no time. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Diarrhea? What Causes Diarrhea? The germs that cause the infection are: viruses most common bacteria parasites Viruses Viral gastroenteritis the "stomach flu" is a common illness.

Bacteria In developed countries like the United States, outbreaks of diarrhea are most often due to what we call food poisoning. Most of the time, these two symptoms are the result of a stomach bug or food poisoning and resolve within a couple of days.

Getting some rest and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration is usually the only treatment needed. Though a virus is usually the culprit, there are other factors that can cause diarrhea and vomiting at the same time, such as certain medical conditions and medications.

Vomiting and diarrhea can happen at the same time for a number of reasons. A stomach virus or bacterial gastrointestinal GI infection is the most likely cause in children. The gastrointestinal tract is part of the digestive system. These infections can affect adults as well, but there are a number of other reasons why an adult may experience these symptoms simultaneously, such as drinking too much alcohol or being pregnant.

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection in your intestines caused by a virus. The viruses that most commonly cause gastroenteritis include:. While all of these viruses can affect people of any age, the latter three most often infect infants and toddlers according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIDDK.

These viruses are transmitted from person to person by contact with infected stool and vomit. Food poisoning is an infection in your gut caused by bacteria. You get food poisoning by eating contaminated food. This can happen at home or in restaurants when food is handled incorrectly or not cooked properly. Symptoms of food poisoning can start within hours of eating contaminated food and often resolve within a few hours to a few days.

This usually happens without treatment. Watery diarrhea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of food poisoning. This disorder generally clears up within two or three days.

Research shows that gastrointestinal function is influenced by stress and that stress and anxiety commonly cause a number of stomach-related symptoms, including:. The stress hormones released by your body slow motility in your stomach and small intestines, and trigger an increase in movement in your large intestine. Stress and anxiety have also been linked to the development and worsening of irritable bowel syndrome IBS , as well as inflammatory bowel disease IBD.

Morning sickness is the most common cause of vomiting in pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. It affects 7 out of 10 pregnant women, usually during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Some women develop hyperemesis gravidarum , which is a condition that causes severe nausea and vomiting.

Diarrhea and vomiting in pregnancy can be caused by diet changes, hormonal changes , and new food sensitivities. Prenatal vitamins also cause diarrhea in some people. The type of food you eat also matters. Eating large amounts of greasy or sugary foods can irritate your stomach and cause diarrhea and vomiting. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Colon and small intestine Open pop-up dialog box Close. Colon and small intestine The small intestine and colon are components of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

More Information What's causing my infant's diarrhea? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Diarrhea. Accessed May 10, Diarrheal diseases: Acute and chronic. American College of Gastroenterology. Mayo Clinic; Merck Manual Professional Version.

Accessed May 11,