What's going on with a child's diarrhea being watery?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on May 17, 2025
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In cases where a child's diarrhea is watery, it is generally considered that a viral infection could be the cause, such as rotavirus enteritis, which can produce yellow, watery stools. Exposure to cold leading to diarrhea can also result in watery stools; additionally, some intestinal bacterial infections may present with watery diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to analyze each specific situation. Using probiotics to regulate intestinal flora, and employing montmorillonite powder to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa can be considered. It is also advisable to visit a hospital to conduct routine stool tests, and if necessary, complete stool culture to guide further medication and treatment. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
1min 25sec home-news-image

Symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration in children

Children with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration are categorized into mild, moderate, and severe dehydration. Generally speaking, with mild dehydration, there is slight dryness of the mouth, not very severe. With moderate dehydration, the dryness of the mouth becomes quite noticeable, and with severe dehydration, there is extreme dryness of the mouth. In terms of mental state, those with mild dehydration generally feel okay, while those with moderate dehydration have poorer spirits, and those with severe dehydration appear very listless. Regarding urination, those with mild dehydration experience a slight decrease in urine output, those with moderate dehydration have a reduced urine output, and those with severe dehydration show a significant reduction in urine output, or even no urine at all. Another symptom to consider is skin turgor; in mild dehydration, skin elasticity is still acceptable, in moderate dehydration skin elasticity worsens, and in severe dehydration, skin elasticity is significantly impaired. For instance, the dryness of mucous membranes, including the oral mucosa, shows slight dryness in mild dehydration, dryness in moderate dehydration, and obvious dryness in severe dehydration. Therefore, dehydration should be assessed from multiple aspects.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What medicine should a child take for diarrhea?

For children with diarrhea, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the diarrhea. If the child has diarrhea due to a viral infection, with watery stools, the first step is to replenish oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration and oral mucosal protectants, and then give the child probiotics. For severe diarrhea, some anti-diarrheal medications can also be taken. If the child has diarrhea due to a bacterial infection, or dysentery, which is also a bacterial infection, or caused by Shigella bacteria, it is necessary to treat the child with antibiotics under the guidance of a hospital doctor in order to achieve the treatment goal. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea drink yogurt?

Yogurt is made by fermenting pure milk and retains all the nutritional components of fresh milk. During the fermentation process, lactic acid bacteria can produce a variety of vitamins essential for human nutrition. Yogurt contains a large amount of lactic acid bacteria, which have the effect of resisting the production of harmful bacteria. Therefore, children with diarrhea can appropriately drink some yogurt. However, it is not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach. Additionally, if a baby has diarrhea, drinking chilled yogurt might aggravate their condition, so it is also not advised to consume large amounts of yogurt on an empty stomach.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea eat eggs?

In cases of diarrhea in children, we must pay attention to their diet. Since diarrhea itself is inflammation of the intestines, digestive function is definitely impaired, and the activity of digestive enzymes will also decrease. Under these circumstances, it is essential to provide a bland and easily digestible diet. If the diarrhea persists for a long time, it is best to feed with diarrhea-specific formula. Eggs are relatively difficult to digest, and in cases of diarrhea, they should be avoided as much as possible. Eating eggs can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, hinder digestion and absorption, and is not conducive to the recovery of the condition. Thus, it is advisable to avoid consuming eggs when experiencing diarrhea.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 15sec home-news-image

What is a good medicine for children's diarrhea?

An increase in the frequency of bowel movements in children, accompanied by a change in stool characteristics, indicates diarrhea. When a child has diarrhea, the first step should be to test a stool routine to determine whether it is infectious diarrhea or non-infectious diarrhea. In cases of infectious diarrhea, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor. If the diarrhea is caused by indigestion or rotavirus infection, symptomatic treatment is generally used. Firstly, feeding should continue. For children with watery stools, we should give them oral mucosal protectants, probiotics, and oral rehydration salts. For those with prolonged diarrhea, specifically diagnosed as caused by rotavirus infection, children should be supplemented with zinc for a period, as zinc can promote the repair of intestinal mucosal damage. This means that it can speed up the improvement of diarrhea, while also preventing the recurrence of diarrhea symptoms. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)