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Diarrhoea Management

What you should know about diarrhoea

Diarrhoea (loose, watery bowel movements) is a common problem of young children. Diarrhoea may be due to a serious illness, but usually it is only the result of a minor infection. The danger of having diarrhoea is becoming dehydrated. Your child may become very sick if he or she loses too much fluid and becomes dehydrated. Increasing the amount of liquid your child drinks can usually prevent dehydration. You may need to cut down on the solid foods for 24 to 48 hours so that he will drink more liquids.

Childhood diarrhoea can be caused by many things, including viruses and antibiotics taken for infections. Diarrhoea is a change to more frequent and watery stools. However, breastfed babies' frequent and soft/loose stools are normal and should not be mistaken for diarrhoea.

When to call the doctor

Call your child’s doctor if any of the following occurs:

• If the child suddenly develops a high fever 101°F / 38.3°C axillary (under the arm).
• If the stomach pain becomes severe, or is more than occasional cramps.
• If the diarrhoea becomes bloody (more than a streak of blood).
• If the diarrhoea becomes more frequent or is more severe.
• If the child becomes dehydrated (see signs of dehydration below).
• If there is no improvement in 24 to 48 hours

Signs of dehydration

• Child’s soft spot (fontanelle) on top of his head is sunken.
• Child has not urinated for 6 hours.
• There are no tears when he cries.
• Child’s eyes are sunken and the skin around the eyes is dark.
• Child is less active than usual or is difficult to wake up.
• Child’s mouth becomes dry or sticky to touch.

Caution

Do not use stool “binders” or anti-diarrhoea medicines for children under 6 years of age, unless it is specifically prescribed for your child by your doctor. These medicines can be very dangerous if they are not used properly.

Preventing infection to other family members

When a germ that is contagious causes diarrhoea, you can help to protect other family members by following these suggestions:

• Make sure your child washes his or her hands after using the toilet.
• Keep your child away from other family members as much as possible.
• Use separate eating utensils for your child and wash them with hot soapy water before others use them.
• Wash your hands after touching your child, his eating utensils, or his soiled laundry.
• Wash your child’s soiled laundry separately with hot water.
• Keep toys separate and wash them with soap and water when possible.
• Use separate washclothes to clean your baby after diaper changes.
• Wash your hands well after each diaper change.
• Clean the toilet frequently.

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