Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea In A Child

Posted on Sat, 25 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 Answered on

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : my sin XXXXXXX who is just over 2.5 came back from spending the week at his dads and has had 7 episodes of yellow rather seedy diarrhea. he had a cold a few days ago apparently and my 5 year has a terrible congestive cough. could this be viral ? I am unable to go into a urgent care and wouldn't be able to take him until much later tonight.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It appears to be due to viral infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Loose stool in this age particularly when it is preceeded by cough and also there is history of cough in sibling.
Here the main aim of management is to prevent dehydration by giving plenty of fluids along with zinc drops and some probiotics.
It may take 4-6 days for the stool pattern to get normal.
I won't get worried for loose stool if baby is otherwise active, drinking fluids well, there is no vomiting and passing urine normally.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any queries.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar