If your child has diarrhea, they will have watery stools that they pass more frequently than usual, usually more than three times a day.

They might also have some or all of the following symptoms:

Other

 

 

 

 

 

infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.

 

 

 

 

 

infections, such as an ear infection or a urine infection, can cause similar symptoms to those listed above.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Elliott E, Dalby-Payne J.
Acute infectious diarrhea and dehydration in children.
Medical Journal of Australia. 2004; 181: 565-570.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ So if your child has other symptoms, such as an earache (they might pull on their ear if they are too young to say their ear hurts) or a burning pain when they urinate, you should take them to the doctor. They might need antibiotics for these kinds of infections. To learn more see our pages on ear infections, ear infection with discharge and ear infection (outer ear).

Your child will probably get better within a few days or a week. But there is a chance that they could become

 

 

 

 

 

dehydrated
When you're dehydrated, you don't have enough fluid in your blood. This could be because you're not drinking enough or because you're losing water by sweating or having diarrhea.

 

 

 

 

 

dehydrated. Here are the signs to look out for:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
World Health Organization.
The treatment of diarrhoea: a manual for physicians and other senior health workers (4th revision).
2005. Available at http://www.who.int/child_adolescent_health/documents (accessed on 25 September 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

²

If your child is becoming dehydrated you should take them to a doctor right away. There are some things you can do to prevent dehydration. For more information, see What treatments work for diarrhea in children?

If your child is urinating less than usual, or if they are tired or groggy, then they could be severely dehydrated. This is life-threatening and you should take them to the hospital emergency room immediately.

If your child has a high fever (higher than 101 degrees) or blood in their stools, their infection might be caused by bacteria. You should take them to see a doctor. Very occasionally these infections need to be treated with

 

 

 

 

 

antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

 

 

 

 

 

antibiotics. Diarrhea from bacteria is more likely if your child has been traveling abroad. But it may also be caused by contaminated food or drink.

If your child's diarrhea doesn't settle within a few days, or if it is getting worse, or if you are concerned about any symptoms, you should take him or her to the doctor.

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