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Vomiting and diarrhea are the
reasons many parents call the pediatrician.
These illnesses are usually caused by viruses
that infect the intestine. They usually last
only about a day or two, but in some cases they
can last up to a week.
If your child is throwing up, your pediatrician
may tell you to not give food and fluid for
a few hours. You can then give your child small
sips of clear fluids, later followed by easy-to-digest
foods. This will help prevent more vomiting,
which can lead to dehydration.
Diarrhea is frequent, loose, watery
stools. You may need to stop feeding your child
solid foods and milk for 12 to 24 hours and
instead give an oral electrolyte solution to
prevent dehydration. You can buy this at your
local drugstore.
Glardia is a parasite that infects
the bowel and often causes prolonged diarrhea.
It can be a problem, especially for those in
child care centers and rural areas. If your
child's diarrhea does not clear up, your pediatrician
may test for Giardia. Disease caused by Giardia
is treated with medication.
Mild vomiting and diarrhea rarely
cause dehydration. However, if your child is
dehydrated, she/he may:
• seem tired or have less
energy
• produce less urine or tears
• have a dry mouth
• have sunken eyes
Some children may throw up many
times over several days. If this occurs, and
you notice any of the other symptoms listed
previously, your pediatrician will want to examine
your child. These symptoms may indicate dehydration
or, less often, the first signs of a rare condition
known as Reye syndrome. As Reye syndrome has
been linked with taking aspirin during certain
viral illnesses, you should never give aspirin
to an infant or child.
If dehydration occurs, your child
may need to have an intravenous (IV) tube inserted
to receive fluids through her/his veins. To
reduce the chance of dehydration, call your
pediatrician early if your child has vomiting
or diarrhea that will not go away.
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