Diarrhea for 2 Weeks—At What Point Do You Stop Waiting It Out?

Experiencing diarrhea for 2 weeks can feel both frustrating and worrying. In most cases, acute diarrhea (lasting under two weeks) clears on its own or with simple home care. Once diarrhea persists beyond 14 days, however, it’s classified as persistent or even chronic, and it’s time to consider further evaluation. Below, you’ll find guidance on when to seek help, what to watch for, and how to manage symptoms safely.

Understanding Acute vs. Persistent Diarrhea

• Acute diarrhea
  • Lasts under 2 weeks
  • Often triggered by a viral infection (“stomach bug”), mild food poisoning, or stress
  • Usually resolves with fluids and rest

• Persistent diarrhea
  • Lasts 2–4 weeks
  • May point to bacterial, parasitic, or protozoal infection; post-infectious irritation; or early inflammatory conditions
  • Requires closer monitoring and sometimes medical testing

• Chronic diarrhea
  • Lasts over 4 weeks
  • Suggests conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or malabsorption syndromes

Because you’ve reached that 2-week mark, it’s no longer “just a stomach bug.” You should start thinking about when to stop waiting it out and take action.

Common Causes of Diarrhea Lasting 2+ Weeks

1. Infection

   • Bacterial (e.g., Campylobacter, Salmonella)
   • Parasitic (e.g., Giardia)
   • Protozoal (e.g., Cryptosporidium)

2. Post-infectious diarrhea

   • Lasts weeks after an acute infection clears
   • May involve altered gut motility or sensitivity

3. Medication-related

   • Antibiotics (disrupt gut flora)
   • Laxatives or antacids containing magnesium

4. Food intolerances or allergies

   • Lactose intolerance
   • Fructose or sorbitol malabsorption

5. Inflammatory or structural

   • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
   • Celiac disease
   • Microscopic colitis
   • Colorectal cancer (rare, usually with other red flags)

6. Functional

   • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D)

Red Flags: When to Seek Urgent Care

Even before the 2-week mark, certain “alarm” signs call for prompt medical attention:

• Dehydration
  • Excessive thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, little or no urination
• High fever
  • Above 102°F (39°C)
• Blood or black, tarry stools
  • Indicates bleeding in the GI tract
• Severe abdominal pain
  • Cramping that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter remedies
• Unintentional weight loss
  • More than 5% of body weight over 1–2 months
• Night sweats or waking to use the bathroom
  • Suggests more serious disease

If you notice any of these, stop waiting it out and seek medical care right away.

Managing Diarrhea at Home

When diarrhea is mild to moderate and without red flags, you can often manage symptoms for a short period with:

• Hydration
  • Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or sports drinks
  • Clear broths, diluted fruit juices, water
• Dietary adjustments
  • BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) for 24–48 hours
  • Low-fat, low-fiber foods as you recover
• Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments
  • Loperamide (Imodium) to slow stool frequency
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to reduce gut inflammation
• Probiotics
  • May help restore normal gut flora, especially after antibiotics

If you’re tolerating clear fluids and small amounts of bland food without worsening symptoms, continue these measures—but set a clear time limit.

Timeline: When to Transition from Self-Care to Medical Evaluation

• First 48–72 hours:
  • Focus on hydration and gradual reintroduction of bland foods
  • Use OTC remedies if needed

• 3–7 days:
  • If you see steady improvement—less frequent stools, better appetite—continue home care
  • If no improvement or you develop mild abdominal cramping and fatigue, consider further steps

• 10–14 days:
  • No meaningful improvement?
  • Symptoms are stable but persistent?
  • Time to move on from “wait and see”

• Beyond 14 days:
  • Diarrhea for 2 weeks or longer is considered persistent and generally warrants medical testing
  • Even in the absence of severe red flags, discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider

What to Expect When You See a Doctor

Once you decide it’s time for professional help, your doctor may recommend:

1. History & physical examination

   • Detailed questions on stool frequency, appearance, associated symptoms
   • Medication list, travel history, diet changes

2. Laboratory tests

   • Stool studies (culture, ova & parasites, C. difficile toxin)
   • Blood tests (CBC, inflammatory markers, electrolytes)

3. Imaging or endoscopy

   • Colonoscopy if inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy is suspected
   • CT scan or ultrasound for structural issues

4. Specialized tests

   • Breath tests for lactose/fructose intolerance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
   • Tissue biopsy (e.g., celiac disease)

Treatment Approaches Based on Diagnosis

• Infectious causes
  • Specific antibiotics or antiparasitics
• IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, biologics
• Celiac disease
  • Lifelong gluten-free diet
• Microscopic colitis
  • Budesonide or other anti-inflammatory agents
• IBS-D
  • Diet modification (low FODMAP), antispasmodics, gut-directed therapies

Your doctor will tailor treatment to the underlying cause, helping you restore normal bowel function.

When to Stop Waiting It Out

• At 2 weeks of continuous diarrhea, arrange a medical evaluation even if symptoms are mild.
• Earlier if you develop any red-flag symptoms (see above).
• Immediately if you become dizzy, faint, or severely dehydrated.

If you’re unsure how urgent your situation is, you might consider doing a free, online symptom check for extra peace of mind. This can help you decide whether to wait, call your doctor, or go to the ER.

Key Takeaways

• Diarrhea persisting 2 weeks or more is no longer “acute” and typically requires medical assessment.
• Monitor for red flags: dehydration, fever, bloody stools, severe pain, weight loss.
• Start with fluid replacement, bland diet, and OTC remedies—set a 10–14-day limit for self-care.
• Beyond that, visit your doctor for stool tests, blood work, and possibly endoscopy.
• Early diagnosis and targeted treatment improve outcomes and prevent complications.

Speak to a doctor about any concerning or worsening symptoms, especially those that could be life threatening or serious. Your health and safety should always come first.