Diarrhea Disease Causes and Symptoms in Children

Diarrhea Disease - Infectious diarrhea is a condition where children frequent bowel movements with watery stools as a result of an infection.

Causes of diarrhea disease in children

1. The most common cause is infection by bacteria or viruses.
2. Babies can be infected when ingesting the organism through the birth canal when contaminated or when touched / held by contaminated hands.
3. Another source of transmission of goods, food and bottles of contaminated milk.
4. Sometimes an infection can occur from inhaling organisms floating in the air, especially during a virus outbreak.
5. Diarrhea was more frequent in less clean environments or in a crowded environment.

diarrhea disease

Symptoms of diarrhea disease in children

1. The infection can suddenly, causing diarrhea, vomiting, bloody stools, fever, loss of appetite or lethargy.
2. Diarrhea is often accompanied by dehydration (lack of fluids).
3. Dehydration causes only mild dry mouth.
4. Dehydration can cause skin was wrinkled, his eyes and a sunken fontanel (in infants aged less than 18 months).
5. Severe dehydration can be fatal, usually cause shock.

Other signs of dehydration:
- Weight loss
- Decreased frequency of urination
- The color of the urine becomes darker and more concentrated – rapid pulse
- Thirsty (thirst can be demonstrated by crying and fussing)
- Crying without tears.

Diarrhea disease can lead to loss of fluids and electrolytes (eg sodium and potassium), so the baby becomes fussy or heart rhythm disruption and brain hemorrhage.

Diagnosis of diarrhea disease

1. Diagnosis based on symptoms and physical examination.
2. Blood tests done to determine levels of electrolytes and white blood cell count.
3. To find out the causative organism, performed on samples of stool cultures.

Treatment of diarrhea diseases

1. The most important step in overcoming diarrhea is to replace fluids and electrolytes lost.
2. If your baby seems sick, the fluid is usually given intravenously. If the disease is mild, can be given fluids containing electrolytes the bottle or glass.
3. Human milk is given to prevent nutritional deficiencies and maintain the establishment of breastfeeding by the mother.
4. If the infant is not breastfed by his mother, should be resolved as soon as dehydration, given formula that contains no lactose. Common formula that could be given in stages a few days later.
5. Although infectious diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, but need not be given antibiotics because the infection will usually subside without treatment.
6. Giving medicine to stop diarrhea can actually be harmful to babies because this drug can inhibit the body’s attempt to dispose of infectious organisms through the feces.