Pandemic Prep..treating Diarrhea

Although diarrhea is usually not a problem with the flu it has been a problem to some having the H1N1 virus. This is also the time of the year when cases of gastroenteritis increases (sometimes called the stomach flu, which of course is not a flu at all). For those reason here are a few tips:

Diarrhea usually lasts only a short amount of time, and doesn’t usually cause complications such as dehydration, unless it is associated with a high fever. Therefore, you can safely treat your child at home. The child’s diet may not need to change if the diarrhea is mild and there is no vomiting. If your infant is breast-feeding, continue to feed on demand. If your child is bottle-fed, continue feeding as usual with full-strength formula. Older children can continue their normal diet but should avoid foods that may make diarrhea worse, such as foods high in fat or sugar The BRAT diet Alone is no longer recommended. However, the BRAT diet is comprised of foods that are easily digested and a good place to start.

It is advisable to offer extra fluids to help prevent dehydration in cases of worsening and ongoing diarrhea. In these cases you can offer your child electrolyte solutions in juice of popsicle form. Electrolyte solutions are tolerated better than water and replaces electrolytes in the right proportions needed to prevent problems, It contains calories which are needed. If you give water to a child who is at risk of dehydration, in large amounts, or for extended periods of time, the child may have seizures.

Resuming lactose-containing foods or fruits/fruit juices too soon can cause diarrhea to flare up again.

Never use boiled skim milk. This can cause serious complications, such as the occurrence of seizures, due to the high salt content.

In a breast-fed infant, diarrhea may be diagnosed if your baby’s stools abruptly increase in number. Breast-feeding does not usually need to be discontinued because of mild to moderate diarrhea. If diarrhea is very frequent (hourly or more), call the doctor for advise.

If on a milk-based formula, switch to one that is soy-based or lactose-free. Stay on the new formula until stools are normal for 2-3 days, and then gradually switch back to the original formula. If stools are hourly or more, call the doctor.

If your child is 4-6 months old and has already started solid foods, foods that may help thicken stools are fresh bananas, rice cereal (made with soy formula or water), cooked carrots, squash, yams or potatoes and white breads.

In children two years and older avoid foods containing lactose, greasy or spicy foods, and foods high in sugar (including juices, soft drinks and teas). This includes all dairy foods unless you purchase specially labeled “lactose-free” foods.

Over the counter medications are not recommended in the treatment of diarrhea in children especially the first two days. Diet therapy and extra fluids work best.

Call the Doctor’s Office…

• Immediately if:
  • Your child does not urinate in more than eight hours. It is often easier to tell if your child has urinated if you place a tissue in the diaper to absorb wetness before it soaks into the diaper.
  • Crying produces no tears.
  • Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
  • Constant abdominal pain develops (not intermittent cramping) that lasts for more than four hours.
  • The diarrhea is watery and your child vomits the clear liquids three or more times.
  • The diarrhea becomes severe. (such as a bowel movement every hour for more than eight hours).
  • Your child starts acting very ill and listless.

• Call the Doctor During Regular Office Hours if:
  • Mucus or pus appears in the stools.
  • A fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit has been present for more than 72 hours.
  • The diarrhea does not improve at all after 48 hours.
  • Moderate diarrhea accompanied by intermittent cramping lasts more than one week.
  • You have other concerns or questions.

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