Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea isGeneral condition : Is the paint alert, restless, irritable lethargic or unconscious ?

Blood in the stools

Persistent diarrhoea (more that 14 days)

Malnourished child

Refer : If the patient's temperature is more than 38.5 C or 101.5 F. Other indications of fever could suggest Meningitis, Otitis Media, Measles, Pneumonia, Malaria, Septicemia, etc.

Assess the degree of Dehydration. Dehydration, not diarrhea, endangers the patient's life. liquid stools passed at least 3 times in a 24-hours  period. It is however, the consistency rather than the quantity that is the most important feature.
It is considered normal for breast-fed babies to pass as many as 8-10 loose motions, without dehydration being a concern. The majority of acute diarrhoeal diseases, particularly in children, are caused by viruses. Usually symptoms persist no longer than 14 days. Generally, acute cases of diarrhoea do not require medication
MOST CASES OF ACUTE DIARRHOEA DO NOT REQUIRE MEDICATION, BUT DO NEED REHYDRATION THERAPY.

The Major complications of diarrhoea are :

Dehydration which is the principal cause of mortality associated with diarrhoea-

Malnutrition which with diarrhoea becomes a vecious circle. Malnourished children are jore likely to die as a result of diarrhoea than a well-fed child.

Questions to ask -

Duration of illness
Frequency and c onsistency of stools
Frequency and duration of vomiting
Fever or convulsion
Urinary  outpur
Presence of blood in the stool
Past and present diet.

What to look for -
General condition : Is the paint alert, restless, irritable lethargic or unconscious ?

Blood in the stools

Persistent diarrhoea (more that 14 days)

Malnourished child

Refer : If the patient's temperature is more than 38.5 C or 101.5 F. Other indications of fever could suggest Meningitis, Otitis Media, Measles, Pneumonia, Malaria, Septicemia, etc.

Assess the degree of Dehydration. Dehydration, not diarrhea, endangers the patient's life.