Question
What should I do if my 14-month-old baby has diarrhea for three days and the medication is ineffective?
Answer
Autumn and winter are the peak seasons for pediatric diarrhea, which is mostly caused by rotavirus infection. The disease can spread sporadically or in small outbreaks, transmitted through fecal-oral routes, or via aerosol transmission through the respiratory tract. It is recommended that parents give their child adequate liquid to prevent dehydration and continue with normal diet to prevent malnutrition. Options include adding salt to rice soup, using sugar-salt water, or oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution. Older children can eat nutritious and easily digestible foods. Avoid greasy foods. In addition, probiotics and mucous membrane protective agents can be used. If symptoms do not improve within three days or if there are frequent vomiting, fever, or obvious thirst, seek medical attention promptly.