Diarrhea is one of the most common diseases for which patients seek medical help. Most (more than 90%) cases of acute diarrhea are caused by enteropathogenic bacteria, viruses or pa­rasites. Dehydration is the most frequent and most dangerous complication of diarrhea, but it can be managed with relatively simple procedures. Diarrhea in children is still a common reason for consulting a doctor and for hospital admission. Intravenous fluids are recommended for children with shock and/or severe dehydration. Oral rehydration with a low osmolarity oral rehydration solution is the treatment of choice in mild to moderate dehydration and is equally as effective as intravenous therapy. Early refeeding improves weight gain without increasing diarrhea or vomiting. Antibiotic treatment is of secondary importance and should follow the special needs of individual patients. It may differ by age group and epidemiolog­ical situation as described in the article. The article presents a proposal for the stepwise man­agement of adult patients and children with diarrhea in primary and hospital practice, along with indications for antibiotic therapy during hospitalization.