What Causes Diarrhea in Small Children?

The main cause of diarrhea in children under 5 years of age is rotavirus, which causes gastroenteritis – inflammation of the inner layer of the stomach and small intestine.

Symptoms of Stomach Flu

Symptoms of rotavirus infection resemble influenza – from here the term stomach flu. There is no connection between stomach flu and influenza, though. Symptoms of stomach flu (viral diarrhea) include:

• Fever, headache, followed by..
• ..watery diarrhea and vomiting that appear 1-2 days after infection and usually last for 3-8 days (1).
• Symptoms of dehydration: drowsiness or restlessness, thirst (which may not necessary be present!), decreased urination, or, in severe cases, sunken eyes, sunken fontanel, and decreased consciousness.
• In the Western world, rotavirus diarrhea is usually a mild disease, but in some parts of Africa, Middle and South America and south Asia over 1 million of children dye from it each year, mainly from dehydration.

continue reading Viral Diarrhea in Small Children ~ Stomach Flu Symptoms & Treatment

Find the Cause of Diarrhea from Symptoms

In this article, typical symptoms are paralleled with common causes of diarrhea. The cause can be also found by tests for diarrhea.

Causes of Diarrhea in Newborns

Newborn normally poops 8-10 times a day.

• Fever, vomiting, diarrhea: rotavirus, rarely other microbes;
• Mild diarrhea: overfeeding, neonatal drug withdrawal;
• Skin rash, strain to vomiting (gagging), irritability, diarrhea: allergy to cow’s milk or soy formula;
• Diarrhea in first 3 days of life: congenital diseases of liver, pancreas, biliary tract, small or large intestine.

continue reading Loose Bowel Movements – Diagnosis from Medical Symptoms