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General Medicine · Gastroenteritis

Running Stomach in Lagos?
The Right Treatment Depends on the Cause.

Diarrhoea and vomiting have many causes in Lagos, some viral and self-limiting, some bacterial and requiring antibiotics, some caused by contaminated water or food. Dehydration, especially in children and elderly patients, is the most dangerous complication. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we assess, test, rehydrate, and treat. See prices.

💬 Book Consultation📞 0816 586 6252
Assessment + stool testOral rehydrationAntibiotics where indicatedWalk-in · Akoka, Lagos
⚠️ Dehydration warning signs: come in immediately: No urine for 8+ hours; sunken eyes; dry mouth; dizziness on standing; inability to keep any fluids down; blood in the stool; high fever with diarrhoea; severe abdominal cramps. Children and elderly patients dehydrate fastest, do not wait.

Common causes of diarrhoea in Lagos

Viral gastroenteritis (most common): rotavirus, norovirus: self-limiting, 2–5 days. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the treatment. Antibiotics are not needed and do not help.

Bacterial diarrhoea: Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter: often from contaminated food or water. May require antibiotic treatment (ciprofloxacin or azithromycin) depending on severity. Stool culture guides choice.

Cholera: Vibrio cholerae causes profuse watery diarrhoea ('rice-water stool'), a medical emergency requiring immediate aggressive rehydration, often IV. Lagos has experienced cholera outbreaks. If diarrhoea is extremely profuse and watery with vomiting, come in or go to the nearest hospital.

Food poisoning: Staphylococcal toxins from improperly stored food cause rapid-onset vomiting and diarrhoea within 1–6 hours of eating. Usually self-limiting within 24 hours.

Our Diarrhoea Assessment

Rehydrate first, investigate if needed, treat with antibiotics only when indicated.

  • Clinical assessment of dehydration severity
  • Stool dipstick and microscopy
  • Stool culture and sensitivity for severe or bloody diarrhoea
  • IV fluid rehydration for severe dehydration: cannula inserted and drip started same visit
  • Oral rehydration guidance and Dioralyte/ORS prescription
  • Antibiotic prescription based on clinical severity and stool culture findings
  • Antiemetic (metoclopramide/ondansetron) for persistent vomiting
  • Dietary advice: BRAT diet, graduated return to normal feeding
Questions

Diarrhoea FAQs

Should I take an antibiotic for diarrhoea?
Only if the diarrhoea is bacterial: suggested by: fever, bloody diarrhoea, severe symptoms, or symptoms lasting more than 5–7 days without improvement. Antibiotics for viral gastroenteritis provide no benefit and contribute to resistance. Our doctors assess and prescribe only when indicated.
My child has diarrhoea. When should I bring them to the clinic?
For children: seek assessment the same day if the child is under 2 years old with significant diarrhoea; if there is blood in the stool; if the child has not urinated in 6+ hours; if they are unusually drowsy or refusing all fluids. In young children, dehydration can become severe very quickly.

Get Your Diarrhoea Assessed and Treated Today.

Same-day consultations at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. See prices.

💬 Book via WhatsApp📞 0816 586 6252
Assessment
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Rehydration
Oral
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Last updated 16 October 2026.