Diarrhea is an infection which causes watery bowel movements. The infection can be due bacteria, parasites or viruses. It depends upon the geographic location of the child, as well as how much hygiene and sanitation is maintained in their lives. Developing countries like ours witnesses move outbreaks of diarrhea than in developed countries, because hygiene is not given primary importance. Many times, farmers are too poor or uneducated to use the correct fertilizers in order to kill parasites which contaminate their crops.

Of course, there are always the chances of getting the infection from an external source - food in restaurants, dhaabas, tea from local tea vendors, food items from the road side, contaminated water, and even improperly preserved foods from multinational corporations. Such infections are highly contagious and children can get it from other children simply by drinking from the same glass of water as the infected child, via dirty hands and even infected animals. Any object which carries the germs causing diarrhea can easily contaminate children. Toys, restroom surfaces and even the hands of the person cooking the food can infect unsuspecting children.

Diarrhea Symptoms

Children might experience cramps in the stomach, loss of appetite, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Rare cases might even show signs of weight loss and dehydration. Depending upon which bacteria, virus or parasite has infected your child, the symptoms will vary. Most cases are mild, and parents needn't worry till the time their child is behaving normally and eating normally. Such an infection passes within a few days with the children recovering with the correct diet and medicines. According to top Pediatrician in Mumbai,

If an infant has diarrhea and isn't vomiting or dehydrated, his mother can continue feeding him her breast milk or baby formula. If they are dehydrated, then make sure to not re-hydrate them with just water as it lacks the required amount of potassium and sodium.

Treatments

Generally, continuing the child's regular diet helps in the reduction of the duration of the disease, while simultaneously provide the child with essential nutrition.

Sometimes, antibiotics are prescribed to children who have a weak immune system to help their body fight against the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. If caused by a parasite, the child can be prescribed anti-parasitic medicines to cure the disease. In some cases, stool samples may be required to make the correct diagnosis.

Parent's primary concern should be the replacement of electrolytes and fluids which have been lost in their child's body due to the disease. Those with mild dehydration are given liquids orally to compensate for the loss. However, children who suffer from severe cases of diarrhea require to be hospitalized. Their bodies are made to receive fluids for a couple of hours to help compensate for the loss of liquids that their body has faced.