Diarrhea is when bowel movements (stools) are loose and watery. Your child may also need to go to the bathroom more often.

Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last several days and go away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than several days, your child may have a more serious problem.

Diarrhea may be either:

• Short-term (acute). Diarrhea that lasts several days and goes away. This may be caused by food or water that was contaminated by bacteria (bacterial infection). Or it may happen if your child gets sick from a virus.
• Long-term (chronic). Diarrhea that lasts for a few weeks. This may be caused by another health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be caused by an intestinal disease, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease. Giardia (parasite) infection may also cause chronic diarrhea.

Diarrhea may be caused by many things, including:

• Bacterial infection.
• Viral infection.
• Trouble digesting certain things (food intolerance).
• An immune system response to certain foods (food allergy).
• Parasites that enter the body through food or water.
• A reaction to medicine.
• An intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
• A problem with how the stomach and bowels work (functional bowel disorder), such as irritable bowel syndrome.
• Surgery on the stomach, gallbladder, or intestines.

Children who visit some foreign countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea. This is caused by having food or water that isn't safe because of bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Severe diarrhea may mean that a child has a serious disease. Talk with your child's doctor if symptoms don't go away. Also talk with the doctor if symptoms stop your child from doing daily activities. It may be hard to find out what is causing your child's diarrhea.

Symptoms can occur differently in each child. They can include:

• Cramping.
• Belly (abdominal) pain.
• Swelling (bloating).
• An upset stomach (nausea).
• An urgent need to use the bathroom.
• Fever.
• Bloody stools.
• Loss of body fluids (dehydration).
• Incontinence.

The symptoms of diarrhea may look like other health problems. Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a serious disease. Make sure your child sees their doctor for a diagnosis.

The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and health history. They will give your child a physical exam. Your child may have lab tests to check their blood and urine.

Other tests may include:

• A stool culture. This checks for abnormal bacteria or parasites in your child's digestive tract. A small stool sample is taken and sent to a lab to be looked at. Sometimes a quick rectal swab, done in the office, can also check for infection.
• A stool evaluation. This checks the stool for blood or fat.
• Blood tests. These are done to rule out certain diseases.
• Imaging tests. These can rule out structural problems.
• Other tests. Tests may be done to check for food intolerance or allergies.
• A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. These are done to check the inside of part or all of your child's large intestine.

Treatment will depend on your child's symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the cause and how severe the condition is.

Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea. In most cases, treatment includes replacing lost fluids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacterial infections are the cause. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. If a parasite is diagnosed, anti-parasitic medicines may be prescribed.

Children should drink lots of fluids. This helps replace the lost body fluids. If your child is dehydrated:

• And if their diarrhea is moderate, offer drinks called glucose-electrolyte solutions. These fluids have the right balance of water, sugar, and salts. Some are available as ice pops.
• Stay away from commercial sports drinks. These don't have the right balance for a child with severe diarrhea and dehydration.
• Don't give juice or soda. They may make diarrhea worse.
• Don't give plain water to your baby.
• Don't give too much plain water to kids of any age. It can be dangerous.
• Keep breastfeeding your baby. Breastfed babies often have less diarrhea.
• Keep feeding formula to your baby, if you were already doing so.
• Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines are not recommended for infants and young children. They can also be harmful in older children. Always check with your child's doctor before giving your child any medicine for diarrhea.
• Probiotics may have beneficial health effects with regard to diarrhea, but more studies are needed.

The greatest complication of diarrhea is dehydration. This is more likely with young children and those with a weakened immune system. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild dehydration is the loss of fluid. Moderate or severe dehydration puts stress on the heart and lungs. In the worst cases, it can lead to shock, which is life-threatening.

Correct handwashing can reduce the spread of bacteria that may cause diarrhea. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also helpful.

A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotaviruses. Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive tract. It can cause dehydration. Ask your child's doctor which vaccines are right for your child.

When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe. This is even more important if you travel to developing countries.

Travel safety tips for drinking and eating include:

• Not drinking tap water or using it to brush teeth.
• Not using ice made from tap water.
• Not drinking unpasteurized milk (milk that hasn't gone through a process to kill certain bacteria).
• Not eating raw fruits and vegetables unless you wash and peel them yourself.
• Not eating raw or undercooked meat or fish.
• Not eating food from street vendors or food trucks.

Talk with your child's doctor before traveling.

Contact your child's doctor if your child is a baby younger than age 6 months or if your child:

• Has belly pain.
• Has blood in the stool.
• Has frequent vomiting.
• Doesn't want to drink liquids.
• Has a high fever.
• Has a dry, sticky mouth.
• Loses weight.
• Urinates less frequently (wets fewer than 6 diapers a day).
• Has frequent diarrhea.
• Is extremely thirsty.
• Has no tears when crying.
• Is a baby and has a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on their head.

• Diarrhea is loose, watery bowel movements (stool). Your child may also have to go to the bathroom more often.
• It may be caused by many things, including a bacterial infection or viral infection.
• Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea. In most cases, treatment involves replacing lost fluids.
• Correct handwashing can help prevent diarrhea. The rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by that virus.
• When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child's doctor:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your doctor gives you for your child.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your child's condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your child's doctor after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.