It may be a side effect of drugs, or a warning signal of illness at other parts of the body. Children suffering from febrile illnesses often complain of some degree of gastrointestinal upset. If in doubt, consult your doctor. The condition is usually self-limiting if managed properly. Mismanagement may lead to dehydration as a result of fluid and electrolyte loss.
Early signs are thirst, dry lips and dry tongue.
If left untreated, urine darkens and volume decreases, eyeballs become sunken and skin loses elasticity. Severe dehydration may lead to coma and death, especially in small children. Prevention of dehydration Extra fluids should be given. A patient with diarrhoea still needs food. For bottle-fed infants, the milk formula should be dilute to one quarter of its original strength by adding 4 times the usual amount of water to the child's normal feed.