You have signs of dehydration. If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea can be dangerous in children if too much fluid is lost and not replaced quickly. The doctor will need to know about your eating habits and medication use and will examine you for signs of illness. Lab technicians analyze a sample of stool to check for bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease or infection.
Blood tests can be helpful in ruling out certain diseases.
For this test, the doctor uses a special instrument to look at the inside of the rectum and lower part of the colon. This test is similar to sigmoidoscopy, but the doctor looks at the entire colon. In most cases, replacing lost fluid to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary. Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful in some cases, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is from a bacterial infection or parasite-stopping the diarrhea traps the organism in the intestines, prolonging the problem. Instead, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics.