Question
What causes pediatric diarrhea? How can it be effectively prevented and avoided from recurring?
Answer
Pediatric diarrhea, also known as bacterial dysentery, is an intestinal infectious disease characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, tenesmus, and stools containing blood and mucus. It is commonly found in children and often occurs during the summer and autumn seasons, although it can also be seen in winter and spring. Modern medicine believes that pediatric diarrhea is primarily caused by Shigella, an acute intestinal infectious disease. The disease is mainly transmitted through contaminated water, food, and hands from patients or carriers. Flies also play a significant role in the transmission between feces and food. People with poor nutrition or those suffering from intestinal parasitic infections, due to weakened immunity, are more susceptible to this disease. Clinically, it can be categorized into acute and chronic bacterial dysentery, with cases lasting over two months being classified as chronic bacterial dysentery. To effectively prevent pediatric diarrhea, personal hygiene should be strengthened, uncooked food should be avoided, and drinking water should be kept clean.