Diarrhoea in children: when to see a doctor

Take your child to see a doctor if:

• Vomiting persists and your child is unable to keep fluids down
• Your child is dehydrated, despite the use of an oral rehydrate solution (ORS)
• You notice bloody diarrhoea or blood in the stool
• Your child’s vomit is a green or yellow colour
• Your child has diarrhoea for more than five days or is vomiting for more than two days

Also consider taking your child to the doctor if they are:

• Younger than 1 years old and showing signs of dehydration (fewer wet nappies)
• Younger than 3 months old and have a temperature of 38°C or higher
• 3-6 months old and have a temperature of 39°C or higher

Go directly to the emergency unit of your closest hospital if your child:

• Vomits blood or has vomit that looks like ground coffee
• Has a stiff neck with pain when looking at bright lights
• Has a sudden, severe headache (migraine) or stomach ache
• May have swallowed something poisonous

What to ask the doctor

• If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, ask for a probiotic to use alongside the antibiotic. This may help your child’s healthy gut bacteria to survive.
• Ask about supplementation, especially for vitamin A and zinc.
• Ask about the rotavirus immunisation. Double check that your child has received both immunisations as part of the EPI programme.
• Ask your doctor for a rehydration solution or make your own (a solution made up of 1 litre of boiled and cooled down water, 8 tsp sugar and ½ tsp of salt).

Reviewed by Kim Hofmann, registered dietitian, BSc Medical (Honours) Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc (Honours) Psychology. August 2018.

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