Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea is frequent loose and watery bowel movements. Diarrhea can make your child feel weak and cause him or her to become dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty.

Your child may also urinate less often and have a dry mouth. Diarrhea typically lasts 2–3 days. However, it can last longer if it is a sign of something more serious. It is important to treat diarrhea as told by your child’s health care provider.

Follow these recommendations as told by your child’s health care provider:

• Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS), if directed. This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and retail stores.
• Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid giving your child fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as juice and soda.
• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your young child. Do notgive extra water to your child.
• Continue your child’s regular diet, but avoid spicy or fatty foods, such as french fries or pizza.

General instructions

• Make sure that you and your child wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Have your child take a warm bath to relieve any burning or pain from frequent diarrhea episodes.
• Watch your child’s condition for any changes.
• Have your child drink enough fluids to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.

Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s diarrhea lasts longer than 3 days.
• Your child has a fever.
• Your child will not drink fluids or cannot keep fluids down.
• Your child feels light-headed or dizzy.
• Your child has a headache.
• Your child has muscle cramps.

Get help right away if:

• You notice signs of dehydration in your child, such as:
  • No urine in 8–12 hours.
  • Cracked lips.
  • Not making tears while crying.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.
• Your child starts to vomit.
• Your child has bloody or black stools or stools that look like tar.
• Your child has pain in the abdomen.
• Your child has difficulty breathing or is breathing very quickly.
• Your child’s heart is beating very quickly.
• Your child’s skin feels cold and clammy.
• Your child seems confused.