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The main symptom of diarrhea is loose and runny stools. But your child may get other symptoms too.

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:

• Vomiting
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• A low fever
• Loss of appetite.

Other infections, such as an ear infection or a urine infection, can cause similar symptoms to those listed above.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. Here are the signs to look out for:²

• Being very thirsty
• Being restless or irritable
• Suddenly losing weight
• Having sunken-looking eyes
• Having a sunken fontanel (the soft spot babies have on their heads).

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 should I do if my child has diarrhea?

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

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.