Infectious Diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea is a common problem with a tremendous domestic and global burden of disease. Most cases of diarrhea are benign and self-limited, but several pathogens are important because of their frequency and/or severity. The fundamental characteristics of several such diseases are considered in this review, along with current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. The pathogens discussed are norovirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella (typhoid and nontyphoid), Shigella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium.