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Cirit Birit (Diarrhoea): Punca, Ubat & Bila Bahaya

十月 12, 2026 Drann Editorial Team

Cirit birit (diarrhoea) means passing loose or watery stools more often than usual, and it is usually caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning. In adults and children it normally stops within 5 to 7 days, and vomiting usually stops within 1 to 2 days. The most important treatment is drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration; oral rehydration salts from a pharmacy help, and loperamide can stop diarrhoea for a few hours in adults, but should not be given to children under 12. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks. Get urgent help for bloody diarrhoea, signs of dehydration, diarrhoea lasting more than 7 days, or a baby under 12 months who is unwell.

Punca cirit birit: what causes diarrhoea?

According to the NHS, the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting are:

a stomach bug (gastroenteritis);
food poisoning from contaminated food or drink.

Diarrhoea can also be caused by:

medicines (check the leaflet for side effects);
a food intolerance or food allergy;
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
anxiety;
appendicitis;
inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease or diverticular disease;
radiation treatment to the pelvic area.

Short bouts of diarrhoea after a meal are usually a stomach bug or food poisoning. Diarrhoea that keeps coming back, or that alternates with constipation, should be checked by a doctor; see our guides to sembelit and gastrik for other common gut problems.

Keracunan makanan: food poisoning in Malaysia

Food poisoning happens when you eat something contaminated with germs. According to the NHS, symptoms include feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, tummy pain, a high temperature and feeling generally unwell. They usually start within a few hours or a few days of eating the food, and usually get better within a week.

Food can become contaminated if it is:

not cooked or reheated thoroughly;
not stored correctly, for example not chilled;
left out for too long;
handled by someone who is ill or has not washed their hands;
eaten after its "use by" date.

Common causes include bacteria such as salmonella, campylobacter and E. coli, and norovirus.

Malaysia's heat matters. A study of Ministry of Health data from 2004 to 2014 found a food poisoning incidence of 561 cases per 100,000 population over the period, with most cases in people aged 13 to 35. In several states, including Selangor, Melaka, Kelantan and Sabah, higher temperatures were linked to more food poisoning cases. In hot weather, refrigerate leftovers promptly, do not leave cooked food such as nasi lemak, rice dishes or kuih out for hours, and reheat food until piping hot.

Cara hilangkan cirit birit: what to do at home

Most diarrhoea can be treated at home. The NHS advises:

drink lots of fluids, such as water, taking small sips if you feel sick;
stay at home and rest;
eat when you feel able to; it may help to avoid fatty or spicy food;
take paracetamol if you are in discomfort;
avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which can make diarrhoea worse.

In adults and children, diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days, and vomiting within 1 to 2 days.

What about probiotics? A Cochrane review of 82 studies with over 12,000 people found that, in the most reliable trials, probiotics made no clear difference to the chance of diarrhoea lasting 48 hours or more. Probiotics may support gut health in other ways (see our probiotik guide), but fluids remain the key treatment for acute diarrhoea.

Ubat cirit birit: pharmacy treatments

A pharmacist can help, especially if you have signs of dehydration, are older, have a weakened immune system or other health conditions, or need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours. According to the NHS, they may recommend:

oral rehydration salts: a powder you mix with water to replace fluid and salts lost through diarrhoea;
loperamide, a medicine that stops diarrhoea for a few hours; it is not suitable for children under 12.

Loperamide eases symptoms but does not treat the cause. According to the NHS, talk to a doctor before taking it if you have blood in your poo and a high temperature (which can be signs of dysentery), have had diarrhoea for more than 48 hours, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not take it if you have severe diarrhoea after antibiotics or your stomach looks swollen.

Be cautious with herbal or traditional remedies that claim to stop diarrhoea quickly; check that any product is registered (see how to verify KKM registration), and do not let them delay seeking help if warning signs appear.

Cirit birit in babies and children

Children and babies can become dehydrated more quickly. The NHS advises:

carry on breast or bottle feeding; if your baby is being sick, try smaller feeds more often;
give babies on formula or solid food small sips of water between feeds;
do not make baby formula weaker; use it at its usual strength;
do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea;
do not give aspirin to children under 16;
ask a pharmacist about oral rehydration solution for children over 5 with signs of dehydration.

Zinc. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend zinc for children with acute diarrhoea in some settings. A Cochrane review found that zinc may shorten diarrhoea by around half a day in children over 6 months, mainly where zinc deficiency or malnutrition is common, but it can increase vomiting and did not help babies under 6 months. Ask your doctor whether it is suitable for your child.

Get urgent medical advice if you are worried about a baby under 12 months, your child stops feeding, or a child under 5 has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies.

Signs of dehydration

According to the NHS, signs of dehydration in adults and children include:

feeling thirsty;
dark yellow, strong-smelling pee, or peeing less often than usual;
feeling dizzy, lightheaded or tired, or having a headache;
a dry mouth, lips and tongue;
sunken eyes.

In babies, look for a sunken soft spot on the top of the head, sunken eyes and fewer wet nappies. Babies, children and older adults are more at risk.

When diarrhoea is dangerous

Get urgent medical advice, according to the NHS, if you or your child:

still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets;
keep being sick and cannot keep fluids down;
have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom;
have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days.

Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you or your child:

vomit blood, or have vomit that looks like ground coffee, or green vomit;
have a sudden, severe tummy ache or sudden, severe headache;
have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights;
may have swallowed something poisonous;
have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue;
have severe difficulty breathing, or are confused or not responding as usual.

How to stop it spreading

Stomach bugs spread easily. The NHS advises staying off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days, and:

wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet and before handling food;
wash soiled clothing and bedding separately on a hot wash;
clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles every day;
do not prepare food for others if possible;
do not share towels, cutlery or utensils;
do not use a swimming pool until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is cirit birit in English?

Cirit birit is the Malay word for diarrhoea: passing loose or watery stools more often than usual. It is usually caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning and normally stops within 5 to 7 days.

What causes cirit birit (punca cirit birit)?

The most common causes are a stomach bug and food poisoning from food that was not cooked, stored or handled properly. Diarrhoea can also be caused by some medicines, food intolerance or allergy, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and bowel conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease.

What is the best ubat cirit birit for adults?

The most important treatment is fluids to prevent dehydration, and oral rehydration salts from a pharmacy help if you show signs of dehydration. For adults and children 12 and over, loperamide can stop diarrhoea for a few hours, but it does not treat the cause. Talk to a doctor first if you have blood in your poo with a high temperature, or diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours.

What can I give a child with diarrhoea (ubat cirit birit budak)?

Give plenty of fluids in small sips, carry on breast or bottle feeding, and ask a pharmacist about oral rehydration solution. Do not give medicine to stop diarrhoea to children under 12, do not dilute baby formula, and do not give aspirin to children under 16. Get urgent advice for a baby under 12 months or any child with signs of dehydration.

What should I eat and drink when I have diarrhoea?

Drink lots of fluids, such as water, in small sips if you feel sick. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which can make diarrhoea worse. Eat when you feel able to, and it may help to avoid fatty or spicy food until you feel better.

Do probiotics help diarrhoea?

The evidence is mixed. A Cochrane review of 82 studies found that, in the most reliable trials, probiotics made no clear difference to the chance of diarrhoea lasting 48 hours or more. Fluids remain the most important treatment.

When is diarrhoea dangerous?

Get urgent medical help if you have bloody diarrhoea, signs of dehydration that do not improve, cannot keep fluids down, have diarrhoea for more than 7 days, or are worried about a baby under 12 months. Go to the emergency department for vomiting blood, sudden severe tummy pain, confusion, or pale, blue or blotchy skin.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.