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Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools that may contain blood, pus, or mucus. Children with diarrhea often have additional symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, headache, and fever. Diarrhea can be
Diarrhea can impact the ability of the body to process and absorb necessary water, salts and nutrition and can lead to dehydration, shock and even death. Mild, acute diarrhea can be caused by a number of conditions, including
Serious, acute diarrhea can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites including
Most episodes of serious, acute diarrhea in children are caused by viruses. Diarrheal illness can be seasonal or may occur in outbreaks where many people are affected. Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea, often with vomiting. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in the United States. Worldwide, rotavirus is a major cause of childhood deaths. Illness from rotavirus usually starts with fever, an upset stomach, and vomiting, followed by diarrhea. The diarrhea can be mild to severe and generally will last 3 to 9 days. Severe diarrhea and dehydration occur primarily among children 3 months to 35 months of age. Most cases of rotavirus diarrhea occur between November and May. Rotavirus illness is very easy to catch. Children can spread rotavirus both before and after they have signs of being sick. The virus is often transmitted from one infected child to another by contaminated hands or objects. Washing with soaps or cleansers will not kill the virus, but will help reduce the spread of rotavirus. What is E. Coli 0157:H7? Escherichia coli O157:H7, or E. Coli 0157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness. Infection often leads to bloody diarrhea, and occasionally to kidney failure. Most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Person-to-person contact in families and child care centers is also an important mode of transmission. Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes nonbloody diarrhea or no symptoms. Usually little or no fever is present, and the illness resolves in 5 to 10 days. What is Salmonella? The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables may become contaminated. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. Dehydration is the biggest threat from diarrheal diseases in children. Illnesses that cause diarrhea or vomiting can lead to dehydration if the child loses more body fluids and salts (electrolytes) than he/she takes in. To prevent dehydration, your child may require special fluids.
The best chance to prevent dehydration, hospitalization or death from diarrheal diseases is by making sure children receive enough fluids, and by seeking medical care when diarrhea is severe or you are concerned about dehydration. It is vital to replace fluids properly. Your health care provider can help you decide what is right for your child. When should you call a doctor if your child has diarrhea? Contact your health care provider if diarrhea is accompanied by the following (particularly if your child is less than 6 months of age):
Are antibiotics needed to treat diarrheal diseases? Do not be surprised if your doctor does not prescribe an antibiotic to treat a diarrheal illness. Many diarrheal illnesses are caused by viruses and will improve in two or three days without antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and using an antibiotic to treat a virus infection could cause harm and will do the child no good. Antibiotics are often not needed to treat mild bacterial infections. How are diarrheal illnesses spread? Children and adults can become infected by coming in direct contact with the feces of an infected child and then passing the infection to the mouth (fecal-oral transmission). Often, another child or adult touches a surface that has been contaminated, touches his or her mouth and then ingests the germs. A child with a diarrheal illness may be contagious before the onset of diarrhea and for a few days after the diarrhea has ended. Germs that cause diarrhea can also be spread by contaminated food. How do you prevent spreading diarrheal illnesses? Careful and frequent handwashing can prevent the spread of infection to other people.
Disinfect toys, bathrooms, and food preparation surfaces frequently, especially if a sick child has been in the home. Use diapers with waterproof outer covers that can contain liquid stool or urine, or use plastic pants Make sure that children wear clothes over diapers. |
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CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z This page last reviewed August 18, 2000 Centers
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