Acute diarrhea usually is caused by Show
Most gastroenteritis is caused by a virus; however, any enteric pathogen can cause acute diarrhea.
Chronic diarrhea usually is caused by
Chronic diarrhea can also be caused by anatomic disorders and disorders that interfere with absorption or digestion.
Dehydration is when there is not enough water in the body. What Causes Dehydration?Dehydration in children usually is caused by vomiting, diarrhea, or both. It also can happen when children don't want to drink because they have mouth sores or a sore throat. Kids also can get dehydrated in hot weather or when they are very active. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Dehydration?Signs of dehydration include:
How Is Dehydration Treated?Treatment for dehydration depends on how severe it is. Kids with mild dehydration can get extra liquids at home. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the ER or hospital. Mild dehydration is treated with oral (by mouth) rehydration. This usually includes giving oral rehydration solution (such as Pedialyte, Enfalyte, or a store brand). It has the right amounts of water, sugar, and salt to help with dehydration. You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. If you can’t get oral rehydration solution, talk to your doctor. There are other fluids that can help with dehydration. If your child has mild dehydration and your doctor says it’s OK to start treatment at home:
When Should I Call the Doctor?Call your doctor if your child:
Go to the ER if your child is very sleepy or isn’t responding to you. How Can We Prevent Dehydration?Whenever your child gets sick, give extra fluids or oral rehydration solution. Give small amounts often, especially if your child is vomiting. Kids need to drink often during hot weather. Those who play sports or are very physically active should drink extra fluids beforehand, and then take regular drink breaks (about every 20 minutes) during the activity. Assess the child with diarrhoea for signs of dehydration
There are three possible classifications of dehydration:
Classify the child's dehydration:
Counsel the mother on the 4 rules of home treatment.
Give recommended amounts of ORS over a 4 hour period
FOLLOW THE ARROW, IF ANSWER IS “YES”, GO ACROSS, If “NO”, GO DOWN Diarrhoea could be:
Classify the child with PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA if the child has had diarrhoea for 14 days or more. Classify the child with SEVERE PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA if the child had diarrhoea for 14 days or more and the child has some or severe dehydration. Classify the child as having DYSENTERY the child has diarrhoea and blood in the stool. Classify the child as having CHOLERA if it is known that there is an on-going cholera epidemic in the area and the child has watery diarrhoea. Cholera should be suspected when a child older than 5 years or an adult develops severe dehydration from acute watery diarrhoea, or when any patient older than 2 years has acute watery diarrhoea when cholera is known to be occurring in the area. Younger children also can develop cholera but the illness may be difficult to distinguish from other causes of acute watery diarrhoea. A child with PERSISTENT or SEVERE PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA needs both fluid and nutrition.
A child with DYSENTERY1 needs antibiotics and fluid.
A child with CHOLERA needs fluid. Fluid replacement is the mainstay of cholera management. Antibiotics can be administered in addition to fluids if the cholera is severe.
1 In some countries, the major cause of dysentery might be amoebic dysentery. In this case, you need to use metronidazole. |