Diarrhoea in adults - How common is it?

Diarrhoea is very common.

Each year in the UK, about 1 in 5 people get diarrhoea at some point.[1]

Between 2 in 10 and 5 in 10 people travelling to a foreign country get diarrhoea.[2] To read more, see Travellers' diarrhoea.

References

Wheeler JG, Sethi D, Cowdon JM et al. Study of infectious intestinal disease in England: rates in the community, presenting to general practice, and reported to national surveillance. British Medical Journal. 1999; 318: 1046-1050.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Fact sheet: travelers' diarrhea. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/travelersdiarrhea_g.htm (accessed on 17 November 2006).

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.