Children with these infections typically have large amounts of watery diarrhea without blood, abdominal cramping, decreased appetite and weight loss. Common parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia , which is usually spread from contaminated water supplies, especially streams, Cryptosporidium , which is commonly found in pets and farm animals and can be spread in day care settings, and Entamoeba histolytica , most common in travelers and immigrants to the US and which can cause bloody diarrhea. Foods can also make you sick if they are contaminated with pesticides or other toxins. The most common symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and fever and they begin a short time after eating a contaminated food. In most people symptoms are mild and clear up quickly without treatment, but food poisoning can lead to dehydration, kidney failure and even death.
Diarrhea is also a common side effect of taking antibiotics.
Persistent or chronic diarrhea is defined as diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks. A referral to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist is sometimes necessary to evaluate children with chronic diarrhea, especially if the initial screening examinations are normal. Most children with chronic diarrhea will have a stool test for polys and blood, a routine bacterial culture, an ova and parasite test, a test for the Giardia antigen and C. difficile toxin, especially if he has recently been on antibiotics. Postinfectious diarrhea sometimes occurs in children with gastroenteritis and may be from an intolerance to lactose or proteins in cow's milk. Toddler's Diarrhea or chronic nonspecific diarrhea usually occurs in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, and causes loose, watery stools in children without other symptoms.