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Bacterial Diarrhea

Bacterial Diarrhea

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a common infection. It can cause loose stools, throwing up, and belly problems. This illness is very contagious and the germs are easy to spread. Most children get better in a few days without treatment. With this health problem, your child may have trouble keeping down fluids. This puts your child at risk of losing too much fluid. This is also called dehydration. Preventing dehydration is the most important treatment goal. Your child may need drugs to treat the infection in very bad cases.

Name

Bacterial Gastroenteritis Discharge Instructions, Child

About this topic

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a common infection. It can cause loose stools, throwing up, and belly problems. This illness is very contagious and the germs are easy to spread. Most children get better in a few days without treatment. With this health problem, your child may have trouble keeping down fluids. This puts your child at risk of losing too much fluid. This is also called dehydration. Preventing dehydration is the most important treatment goal. Your child may need drugs to treat the infection in very bad cases.

What drugs may be needed?

Fight an infection,Treat loose stools,Treat throwing up,Prevent or treat fluid loss

What changes to diet are needed?

Give your baby formula or breast milk. For older children, watch to see if milk makes the vomiting or diarrhea worse.,Give your child cereals, bread, potatoes, lean meat, bananas, apples, vegetables, toast, rice, or yogurt.,Avoid giving your child fatty and sugary foods such as cakes, chocolates, ice cream, and take out foods.,Avoid giving your child sweetened or sugary drinks, soft drinks, and sport drinks. These may make your child's loose stools worse.,Do not give your child coffee or tea. These can make them dehydrated.

What problems could happen?

Too much fluid loss,Blood infection,Stomach bleeding,Persistent fever

When do I need to call the doctor?

Child younger than 6 months old with loose stools and throwing up,Signs of fluid loss. These include soft spot on a baby's head looks sunken, few or no tears when crying, dark-colored urine or only a small amount of urine for more than 6 to 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling very sleepy.,Throwing up or very bad loose stools that last for more than a few days,Child throws up blood, has mucus or bloody loose stools,Not able to keep fluids down,Very bad belly pain,Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse

Body systems

Gastrointestinal,Pediatric

What are other common names?

Acute Gastroenteritis,Acute Infectious Colitis,AGE,Gastro,Infectious Colitis,Infectious Diarrhea,Stomach Bug,Stomach Flu

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.

Copyright

Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

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