This is defined as loose, watery stool (without blood, lipid, mucus, etc.) for less than 14 days without evidence of septicaemia. Acute diarrhoeal illness tends to be a self-limiting disease, so treatment is mainly supportive. Antimicrobial therapy is not routinely indicated for numerous reasons. Firstly, there is a lack of evidence that antibiotic treatment is of any significant benefit4-8, so risks associated with its prescription cannot usually be justified.