Diarrhea: causes and symptoms

Does your baby have symptoms of diarrhea?

When changing diapers, parents are often faced with the question of whether their baby is showing signs of diarrheaHas. Soft or loose stools are usually normal in babies. Only when the stool is thinner, has a more noticeable smell than usual and occurs several times within a few hours can one speak of diarrhea. Diarrhea is inflammation of the intestines. The body is attacked by viruses or bacteria that attach themselves to the lining of the intestine. If the body cannot successfully defend itself against these pathogens, the lining of the intestine swells, turns red and secretes water and mucus. With regard to the size and length of the intestine, a lot of fluid and important minerals such as sodium, potassium or chlorine are lost during diarrhea. It is essential to compensate for this loss during treatment.

Diarrhea: chronic or acute?

A basic distinction is made between acute and chronic diarrhea.

• One speaks of acute diarrhea when it lasts three to 14 days. Acute diarrhea is often caused by bacterial or viral infections.
• In the case of chronic diarrhea , the symptoms last at least four weeks. However, it is important not to wait for these four weeks, but to see a doctor as soon as possible. Rule of thumb: For children, a 24-hour period applies. If the diarrhea hasn’t subsided by then, it’s time to go to the doctor! Chronic diarrhea is either a diet issue or a serious medical condition. The exact cause behind chronic diarrhea must be investigated. This happens via stool and blood tests.

Does your child have diarrhea? Then find out here how you can treat diarrhea in general .

Common causes of diarrhea

There are numerous causes that can cause diarrhea. Examples of possible triggers for diarrhea are:

• rotaviruses
• salmonella bacteria
• E coli bacteria
• Campylobacter bacteria
• milk protein allergy
• lactose intolerance
• food intolerance
• food poisoning
• parasites
• teething

Diarrhea and possible routes of transmission

Viral or bacterial infections that cause diarrhea are contagious and spread from person to person. There are basically two possible routes of infection in diarrheal diseases:

• Droplet infection: When speaking, coughing or sneezing, droplets containing the virus or bacterium that can cause diarrhea can easily become airborne. They can enter the body via the respiratory tract, where they settle and cause diarrhea if the immune system is too weak to defend itself against the pathogens.
• Contact infection: Viruses or bacteria can be transmitted via contact infection, also known as smear infection. Pathogens that cause diarrhea are passed on simply by touching them. Infection can occur via primary contact infection, i.e. through contact with other infected people, or via secondary contact infection, i.e. through contact with contaminated objects such as keyboards, door handles, for example.

Common symptoms of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be accompanied by numerous side effects. The most common symptoms of diarrhea are:

• thin stool
• increased bowel movements
• noticeable odor of the stool
• Circulatory problems caused by fluid and electrolyte loss
• nausea
• Vomit
• Fever
• gas
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain