PROBLEM AND SOLUTION OF DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN

What is diarrhea?

Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection that causes diarrhea (fluid, watery poop) and vomiting.

Reason ?

The cause is usually a virus. Many viruses have diarrhea, but rotavirus and adenovirus are common. Rotavirus vaccine administered to babies younger than 5 months protects against this disease.

Sometimes bacteria and parasites can cause diarrhea. In this case, blood and mucus can be seen in the poop.

How do people get the virus?

A child can get the virus in the following situations:

• Touching something that comes into contact with the diarrhea or vomiting of an infected person
• Putting your hand in your mouth

The virus spreads easily in homes, nurseries, kindergartens and schools.

How much will it take?

Vomiting may resolve quickly, but diarrhea can usually last up to 10 days. It does not matter if your child takes long enough to get enough fluids and looks good.

When is my child at risk?

Diarrhea affects all age groups, but it is more common in infants and young children and may have worse consequences.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The most common symptoms are:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Diarrhea (fluid, watery poop)
• vomiting

Sometimes a child with diarrhea also has:

• Fire
• Abdominal pain

How can I care for my child at home?

If your child is over 6 months old and has a mild diarrhea and no water loss, you can take care of it at home. The main treatment is to continue giving your child's fluids. Whatever fluids your child has, the important thing is:

• Instead of giving large amounts, usually give a small amount of fluid - a quarter cup every 15 minutes or 1 teaspoon per minute or 5 ml with a syringe
• Continue giving your child fluids even if they are vomiting

Liquid types:

• If you are breastfeeding, continue feeding whenever the baby wants - you may need to feed more often and drink extra fluids.
• If your child is on formula, continue feeding with the formula.
• If your child is over 1 year old, you can give them cow milk.

As long as your child does not lose fluid, you can give the following drinks. You should dilute sweet drinks with water (too much sugar can make diarrhea worse).

• Soup - Add 5 parts water to 1 part soup
• Juice - add 5 parts of water to 1 part of juice
• Carbonated drinks and lemonade - Add 5 parts warm water to 1 part beverage (hot water cleans bubbles)
• If your child is dehydrated, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend electrolyte solutions such as Kidslyte or Pedialyte. You can buy them at the pharmacy - read the instructions on the package.

What drinks should I not give to my child?

Do not give to babies and children with diarrhea:

• Undiluted carbonated drinks, juices, energy drinks (such as Powerade or Gatorade) - these contain a lot of sugar and can make your child's diarrhea worse.
• Coffee and tea - these can make your child dehydrated

Should I continue to give my child their normal food?

• Feed your child if he gets hungry while diarrhea continues
• Continuing to feed your child can speed up recovery and shorten the duration of diarrhea.
• Your child may refuse food at first - this is not a problem as long as they drink liquid
• Do not stop eating more than 24 hours
• Simple starchy foods are best - offer bread or toast, oatmeal, rice, potatoes, plain biscuits, yogurt, milk pudding.

What foods should I avoid?

Do not give your child greasy or overly sugary foods:

• ready foods
• Fries, desserts, cakes, chocolate, ice cream, cream, hazelnut cream

Do I need to give my child medicine?

Do not give to the child to reduce diarrhea. They can be useless and harmful.

Your doctor may sometimes prescribe a medicine for vomiting. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You cannot treat viral diarrhea with antibiotics. The body cleans the virus on its own without medication.

What can I do for my baby's rash?

Diarrhea can cause a rash on the underside of the baby. Wash and dry your child's bottom thoroughly after each bowel movement, and then apply protective cream or ointment (such as zinc and moisturizing cream or Vaseline).

How do I know if my child is dehydrated?

Dehydration is fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhea. The younger the child, the easier it is to become thirsty.

For signs of dehydration follow:

• Mouth and tongue dry
• sunken eyes
• Cold hands and feet
• Unusual sleepiness or lack of energy
• Wetting the diaper less or not passing more urine as usual
• If your child has these symptoms, you need to get them to see a doctor immediately.

When should I get help?

You should immediately contact your doctor or the medical center within hours:

• Your child has vomiting and / or diarrhea and less than 6 months - babies can become dehydrated and quickly become ill
• Your child wakes up sleepy and difficult
• Your child has too much diarrhea (8 to 10 juicy poop per day)
• Your child has blood or mucus in their poo
• Vomiting is increasing or your child cannot hold fluids
• Your child begins to vomit green (bile)
• Your child has a severe stomach

they have pain

• Your child shows signs of dehydration
• Any reason that worries you

You should see your doctor if:

• Your child's diarrhea continues for more than 10 days

How can I prevent transmission of diarrhea?

Diarrhea spreads very easily. There are ways to help prevent the spread of the disease:

• Effective hand washing

Hand washing is important after going to the toilet, after changing the diaper and before preparing food. Encourage your child to wash and dry their hands after using the toilet.

• Cleaning the toilet and bathroom areas

To clean your toilet and bathroom areas thoroughly with bleach.

• Washing dirty clothes

Wash your child's dirty clothes, preferably in warm water, and separate them from other family clothes.

• Avoiding food and beverage sharing

Make sure your child does not share food and drinks with others.

• Keep the child with diarrhea away from others

Keep your child away from friends and other children until they have vomiting and diarrhea. Children with diarrhea should not go to nursery, kindergarten and school until 48 hours have passed without diarrhea.

Important points to remember

• Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection that causes diarrhea and sometimes vomiting.
Diarrhea means fluid, juicy poop
• In case of diarrhea, children should consume plenty of fluids.
• Give small amounts of fluid frequently
• Diarrhea can cause dehydration, especially in infants and young children
• Watch for signs of dehydration (such as dry lips, less wet cloths, collapsed eyes, unusual sleepiness) and have your child go to the doctor immediately if you suspect.
• If your baby is less than 6 months old and has vomiting and / or diarrhea, you should consult a doctor immediately - babies can dry quickly and their condition may deteriorate.

Exp. Dr. Ali MÜSEVİTOĞLU
Child Health and Diseases