As we enter April… the hottest month of the year, such extreme heat promotes the growth of pathogens, especially bacteria. We should all be particularly vigilant about diseases transmitted through food and water, especially diarrhea and food poisoning. This is even more important for young children… it should not be overlooked.
Diarrhea, or what we commonly call “stomach upset,” is more dangerous than you think
Diarrhea can occur at any age and is the second leading cause of death among children worldwide!! It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites, helminths, and rotavirus. Children may have watery stools more than 3 times a day, or pass mucus with blood once, or pass a large amount of watery stool once a day. Some children may also experience fever, vomiting, and dehydration.
Causes of diarrhea in children
Most cases are caused by infections in the gastrointestinal tract and bacterial toxins, which may result from eating undercooked food, leftover food, insufficient reheating, poor hygiene, drinking unclean water, or contamination with diarrhea-causing pathogens.
Food poisoning, another cause of diarrhea in children
It occurs from consuming food or water contaminated with substances such as bacteria in food or certain chemicals entering the body, such as other toxins. When the body tries to expel these substances, children may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dry throat, thirst, and sometimes fever.
This hot season, watch closely! If a young child has diarrhea and any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately
- Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
- Severe abdominal pain and vomiting
- High fever
- Blood in the stool
- Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, reduced urination, cold skin, rapid pulse, and inability to drink oral rehydration solutions
Balancing body fluids… is the key to treatment
Treatment of diarrhea in children involves assessing the child’s dehydration status to provide fluid replacement and symptomatic treatment, which varies depending on the individual case, such as fever, vomiting, or abdominal pain. There are two scenarios:
- If the child can eat soft foods and take oral rehydration salts to replace fluids and electrolytes, the doctor may allow the child to recover at home.
- If the child vomits excessively or is severely dehydrated, close medical supervision is required to treat dehydration and restore electrolyte balance to prevent shock and death.
This summer! How parents should handle diarrhea in children
- Eat clean and freshly cooked food; avoid eating food left overnight.
- Wash hands thoroughly, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
- Drink clean or boiled water.
- Currently, vaccines are available to prevent some types of diarrhea, such as the rotavirus vaccine, which can help reduce the severity of the disease.
Article by
Dr. Rapeeporn Wisitsananon
Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialist
Children’s Health Center, 2nd Floor, Building B, Phyathai 2 Hospital
Tel. 02-617-2444 ext. 3219-3220
