Diarrhoea is a common problem in children and is caused by about a 100 different bacteria, protozoa or viruses. Diarrhoea lasting less than 14 days is called acute and is presumed to be infective. When it exceeds 14 days it is called chronic or persistent.

1. Diarrhoea

2. Diarrhoea
“Diarrhoea is caused by about a 100 different bacteria, protozoa or viruses.”
It is a well-known fact that poor health in children is a major stress factor for parents. A lot of the stress
comes from parents not understanding why their child is falling ill but still wanting to do something
about it.
Diarrhoea is a common problem in children and is caused by many different protozoa, viruses and
bacteria. Diarrhoea lasting less than two weeks is called acute and infective. If it persists after two
weeks, it is termed chronic or persistent. When the diarrhoea intensifies, it is called dysentery and the
stools are tinged with blood and mucus. This ailment is considered very severe and can result in colicky
pains and frequent purging especially in children.
Causes Of Acute Diarrhoea
The most common cause of diarrhoea is infection of the gut. It can also be caused by many viruses,
germs and bacteria. Viruses can easily spread when an infected individual cooks food for others and also
from one person to another by close contact. Some of the other non-infectious causes are not usually
seen in children. Know more about this debilitating ailment from the experts at Apollo Clinics.
Symptoms
The common symptoms seen in diarrhoea is fever, headaches, respiratory problems and body pains. The
stool is not bloody or filled with pus in diarrhoea but is watery. Diarrhoea is often accompanied by
vomiting. Usually diarrhoea stops in a few days and does not cause chronic diarrhoea.
The most common cause of worry for those affected with diarrhoea is dehydration as it leads to the loss
of excess liquid from the body. It is important to supply the patient with lots of water and drinks to keep
them hydrated. And it is recommended to consult a paediatrician if the baby vomits, has blood in the
stool, stomach pain, urinates frequently, loses weight and has fever.
Treatment
If the baby continues to eat healthy and drink lots of liquids, the constant purging is not a cause of
concern. Mothers should continue breast feeding and give their kids the usual amounts of milk, formula
and food. An effective way of overcoming diarrhoea is by following Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) and
it is also simple and cheap. This therapy prevents dehydration by supplying liquids by mouth. It is always
preferable to follow home remedies instead of resorting to medication for the health of the baby.

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