Question
My son is 3 years old, and if he goes to the bathroom every other day, he usually has bloody stool, with bright red blood at the end. What should I do, do I need to take medicine?
Answer
When a child has bloody stool, it’s important to observe the characteristics of the stool. If the stool is formed, relatively dry, and there is a small amount of bright red blood on the outside, it may be due to constipation causing rectal mucosal damage and capillary rupture, which could be hemorrhoids or anal fissures. If the stool is loose and contains stringy blood or mucus, it may indicate bacterial enteritis. It’s necessary to go to the hospital for a timely laboratory examination. It is recommended to drink more water, maintain a balanced diet with adequate nutrition, and eat more vegetables and fruits to keep the bowels regular when the stool is dry. For mucus-containing bloody stool, under the guidance of a doctor, oral anti-inflammatory drugs and medications to protect the intestinal mucosa should be taken for treatment.