== Warnings ==
Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief upset of no great significance. But sometimes diarrhea warns of a serious condition.
Consult your doctor if diarrhea persists in a child for more than 24 hours, or after three days for an adult. Call immediately if you see any of these symptoms:
* Severe abdominal or rectal pain
* Blood in your stool
* Black, tarry stools
* Fever
* Signs of dehydration
These diarrhea symptoms can be warning signs of conditions such as infection, irritable bowel disease, pancreatitis, or even colon cancer.
== References ==