Children can have acute or chronic forms of diarrhea. Causes include bacteria, viruses, parasites, medications, functional disorders, and food sensitivities. Infection with the rotavirus is the most common cause of acute childhood diarrhea. Rotavirus diarrhea usually resolves in 3 to 9 days.

Medications to treat diarrhea in adults can be dangerous to children and should be given only under a doctor's guidance.

Diarrhea can be dangerous in newborns and infants. In small children, severe diarrhea lasting just a day or two can lead to dehydration. Because a child can die from dehydration within a few days, the main treatment for diarrhea in children is rehydration.

Take your child to the doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:

• stools containing blood or pus, or black stools
• temperature above 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• no improvement after 24 hours
• signs of dehydration

Young children and infants are at high risk for diarrhea and other food- and waterborne illnesses because of limited prior exposure/immunity and frequent hand-to-mouth contact. Infants and children with diarrhea can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.

Prevention

Causes of travelers' diarrhea in children are similar to those in adults. For young infants, breastfeeding is the best way to prevent foodborne and waterborne illness. Only purified water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, and mixing infant formula and foods. Scrupulous attention should be paid to handwashing and cleaning pacifiers, teething rings, and toys that fall to the floor or are handled by others. Carrying child-safe hand wipes facilitates this. Dairy products should be avoided unless effective pasteurization can be assured. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be avoided unless they can be washed well and peeled without recontamination. Bringing finger foods or snacks will avoid the need to try potentially risky foods between meals. Meats and fish should be well cooked and eaten just after they have been prepared.

take anti diarrhea tablets with you if travelling with young children and dont forget to bring glucose ( ORS )to drink with water to avoid dehydration. If your child has Diarrhea for more then 3 days consult the local hospital. it is higly recommended to become a member of the flying docs in case of travelling with children. In the parks it is hard to get medical care!