Question
A three-year-old child has diarrhea and keeps drinking water but isn’t urinating. Do they need intravenous treatment?
Answer
It’s impossible to determine the type of dehydration. It is recommended to go to the hospital immediately for a thorough examination to identify the pathogen and treat accordingly. Since vomiting and nausea result in the loss of not only water but also a significant amount of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, losing too much of these can lead to further electrolyte imbalances. Simply drinking water is not enough to replenish electrolytes. As potassium, although in small amounts, can cause harm to the body if there is too much or too little, it is advisable to seek proper treatment from a pediatrician rather than taking supplements arbitrarily.