Question
An 18-month-old child is suffering from diarrhea and has lost their appetite, with a poor mental state, suggesting possible dehydration. The child had previously been treated for a cold and was diagnosed with a mixed viral and bacterial infection after a blood routine check. Symptoms disappeared and the body temperature returned to normal after intravenous fluid therapy. However, after resting for two days, the child began to have diarrhea and continued to lose appetite, with a normal body temperature accompanied by slight coughing. What could be the cause of this situation? How should it be treated? What medications should be taken? Thank you for your assistance.
Answer
For children with diarrhea, dietary habits should be adjusted. For children who are introducing complementary foods, it is recommended to temporarily stop or reduce the intake of complementary foods. For older children, it is advisable to avoid giving foods rich in oil or meat. If breast milk is available, it is suggested to breastfeed as much as possible. For children experiencing nausea and vomiting, in addition to providing easily digestible food, water and food should be fed in small amounts, multiple times, and slowly. During particularly severe diarrhea and vomiting, feeding can be temporarily paused for 1 to 2 times, but it is not recommended to go on a long-term fast as this is detrimental to the child. Antibiotics should not be used arbitrarily, as misuse of antibiotics is a major cause of treatment failure. Children have a small number of non-pathogenic bacteria in their intestines and have not yet established a normal flora system; the intestinal environment is unstable and easily disrupted by external factors. Dangui Er Duan Chi Paste can be used for treatment.