Diarrhea in Children: Causes, Self-Care, and When to See a Doctor | Should Your Child See a Doctor If Diarrhea Continues During Travel?
■Symptoms
Diarrhea in children is a condition in which watery or loose stools occur repeatedly. During travel, it may be caused by viral or bacterial gastroenteritis or exposure to contaminated food or water.
Diarrhea may be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or loss of appetite. Infants and young children are particularly at risk of dehydration if diarrhea continues.
■Causes
Possible causes include:
- Serious bacterial infections or other infections that may require medical treatment
- Gastroenteritis or travelers’ diarrhea caused by viruses or bacteria
- Infections from contaminated food or drinking water
- Temporary digestive problems caused by changes in diet or environment
- Side effects of medications
If your child has bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, a high fever, or appears very weak or lethargic, there may be a condition other than uncomplicated gastroenteritis.
■When to Seek Medical Care
Seek Medical Attention Promptly If Your Child:
- Cannot drink fluids or is vomiting and unable to keep fluids down
- Is urinating significantly less than usual or has a dry mouth
- Is very lethargic or does not respond normally
- Has blood in the stool
- Has severe abdominal pain or a swollen abdomen
- Has a fever and appears generally unwell
You May Monitor Your Child’s Symptoms If:
- Your child can drink small amounts of fluids
- Your child is urinating
- Your child is alert and behaving close to normal
- Diarrhea is becoming less frequent and symptoms are improving
If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you feel that your child is “not acting like usual,” we recommend seeing a doctor as a precaution.
■Self-Care
- Allow your child to get plenty of rest at the hotel.
- Offer small amounts of oral rehydration solution (ORS) frequently.
- Continue breastfeeding if your child is breastfed.
- If your child can eat, offer small amounts of their usual food rather than withholding food completely.
- Avoid giving large amounts of juice or carbonated drinks.
- Do not give anti-diarrheal medications that are not intended for children without medical advice.
For infants and young children in particular, monitor how much they are drinking and how often they urinate.
■What We Can Do at Our Clinic
We provide:
- English-speaking medical care
- Medical consultation and assessment for dehydration by a physician
- Blood tests when indicated
- Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy for dehydration when appropriate
- Prescription medications based on your child’s symptoms and age
- Referral to a pediatric specialist or pediatric medical facility when necessary
■Appointment
At International Clinic Osaka Shinsaibashi (ICOS) in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, we provide medical consultations for children experiencing diarrhea while traveling in Japan. We offer same-day appointments and English-speaking medical services, so international travelers can receive medical care with confidence.
If your child has persistent diarrhea during your trip or you are concerned about dehydration, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
Address:
4F Zenith Building, 1-13-25 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Phone:
+81-6-6484-6392
Email:
c.icos@international-clinic-osaka.com