What is the best treatment option you can advise for a child who is having diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a very common problem in babies and children. It is usually mild and brief. “Acute” diarrhea lasts less than 1 week, and no longer than 14 days. A child has diarrhea if they have more bowel movements than usual, and if stools are less formed and more watery. Sometimes children with diarrhea have other symptoms,
such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, cramps, and blood and/or mucus in the bowel movement. Diarrhea can be dangerous if not managed properly because it drains water and salts from your child’s body. If these fluids are not replaced quickly, your child can become dehydrated and may need to be hospitalized. Diarrhea germs spread easily from person to person, and especially from child to child. They usually spread quickly
among children who have not learned to use the toilet. There are many different causes of diarrhea. The most common are viral infections. How can I prevent diarrhea?Proper handwashing and safe food handling are the best ways to prevent the spread of germs that cause diarrhea. What should I do if my child has diarrhea?Children with diarrhea need to keep drinking the right amount of fluids to avoid dehydration.
What is dehydration?Dehydration is caused by a loss of body fluids, which are made up of water and salts. When children have diarrhea, they can lose large amounts of salts and water from their bodies can become dehydrated very quickly. Children can get dehydrated even more quickly if they are vomiting. Dehydration can be very dangerous, especially for babies and toddlers. What are the signs of dehydration?Call your child’s doctor or seek medical advice at a local clinic or hospital if you see signs of dehydration, including:
Healthy children can spit up, vomit or have a loose stool once in a while without being in danger of becoming dehydrated. What is an oral rehydration solution?An oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a mixture of water, salts and sugar in specific amounts. These solutions can be absorbed even when your child has large amounts of diarrhea or is vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions can be used to:
Oral rehydration solutions are available at pharmacies in ready-to-serve preparations. It is best to buy an ORS that has already been mixed. For the first 4 hours of oral rehydration (for mild dehydration)
If your child refuses to take the ORS by the cup or bottle, give the solution using a medicine dropper, a syringe, a small teaspoon or frozen pops. If your child vomits, stop foods and other fluids, but continue to give the ORS using a spoon.
After 4 hours until 24 hours: Recovery stage
What should I avoid giving to my child?
Talk to your doctor before giving any over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea. When should I call the doctor?Call your doctor or seek medical advice if your child:
Diarrhea lasting for more than 1 to 2 weeks is not considered acute diarrhea. Talk to your child’s doctor if this is the case. Reviewed by the following CPS committees
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