Many children have had diarrhea, though usually not for very long. Diarrhea usually lasts 5-7 days, with most stopping within 2 weeks, and vomiting usually lasts 1-2 days, with most stopping within 3 days.
Why do you have diarrhea?
Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection of the intestinal tract, the most common cause being “viral gastroenteritis”, where children often have fever and vomiting followed by diarrhea. The pathogen that causes diarrhea is usually highly contagious and can be easily transmitted to others. Some non-infectious diseases can also cause diarrhea, especially if it lasts for more than a few weeks, such as food allergies, lactose intolerance, etc.
When do I need to see a doctor?
Diarrhea is often accompanied by other manifestations, such as fever, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, etc. A child needs to see a doctor if
A child under 1 year old has a temperature over 39 degrees.
Frequent vomiting or unwillingness to replenish fluids.
Blood or mucus in the stool.
Dry mouth and lips.
Fever that does not go away.
Depressed spirits
No tears when crying.
No urine for 6 hours.
Severe abdominal pain.
Vomiting.
Home care for diarrhea
If the child is in good spirits and can eat and drink, there is usually nothing to worry about. Mild diarrhea can improve within a few days with only rest and fluid replacement.
The primary treatment for diarrhea is to replace the water and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
1. Do not use only water for fluid replacement in infants and children, as important minerals such as sodium and potassium are not available.
2. Do not prepare your own sugar-salted water, or use broth and boiled milk for fluid replacement. Boiling can lead to high concentrations of salt and minerals in milk and etc.
3, Do not eat apple juice or other sweet drinks, these may aggravate diarrhea.
4, if the child does not show signs of dehydration, the child continues to eat normally and replenish more fluids, you can eat a small number of meals to avoid nausea and vomiting. If you can take oral rehydration salts, give as much as the child is willing to drink until the diarrhea stops. The reference amount is 50-100mL of rehydration salts per drink for children under 2 years old after each loose stool; 100-200mL for children between 2 and 10 years old; and as much as children older than 10 years old are willing to drink. If the baby is breastfed, increase the time and frequency of breastfeeding. If it is a formula-fed baby, it should be fed at least once every 3 hours.
5. Supplement oral rehydration saline solution for children with mild signs of dehydration. Supplement with 75 ml/kg of oral rehydration solution for the first 4 hours, when the child can have breast milk but no other food. If the child does not have eyelid edema (excessive rehydration) and he wants to drink more fluids, give him that too. After dehydration is corrected and urine output is normal, the child begins to eat small and large meals.
6. Method of feeding oral rehydration salts: Feed infants and children oral rehydration salts solution with a clean spoon or cup, without using a bottle. Small infants can use a syringe to deliver the solution into the child’s mouth a small amount at a time. children under 2 years old should drink a teaspoon (5mL) every 1 to 2 minutes, and older children can drink directly from the cup in small amounts multiple times. If the child vomits, wait 5-10 minutes and then give ORS solution, but be careful to go more slowly (e.g., one teaspoon every 2-3 minutes).
7. Zinc supplementation therapy (10-20 mg/day) as soon as diarrhea occurs can reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea, as well as the risk of dehydration. Continuous zinc supplementation for 10-14 days can completely replace the zinc lost during diarrhea and reduce the risk of recurrent diarrhea within 2-3 months.