[Nosocomial diarrhea].

Hospital acquired or nosocomial diarrhea affects up to one third of hospitalized patients. It increases mortality rates as well as length and costs of the hospital stay. Drug side effects are the predominant cause of nosocomial diarrhea whilst clostridium difficile is the most common infectious agent, whose development is closely linked to antibiotic usage. The causal therapy of mild clostridium difficile infections is controversially discussed. Nevertheless, the use of Metronidazol for mild cases and of vancomycin for severe forms of the disease is recommended. Diarrhea outbreaks might be caused by viruses and less often by Salmonella and Listeria. Norovirus infections are of outstanding importance. Rehydration and isolation to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus are the only reasonable options as we still lack a proper therapy.