DIARRHEA

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR DIARRHEA

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If:

Not moving or too weak to stand.

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Your child looks or acts very sick.
Signs of dehydration (e.g. no urine in over 8 hours, no tears with crying and very dry mouth).
Blood in the stool.
Fever above 104°F (40° C).
Age less than 12 weeks with fever above 100.4°F (38° C) rectally.
Abdominal pain present more than 2 hours.
Vomiting clear liquids 3 or more times.
Age less than 1 month with 3 or more large diarrhea stools.
Passed more than 8 diarrhea stools in the last 8 hours.
Severe diarrhea while taking a medicine that could cause diarrhea (e.g., antibiotics).

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

You think your child needs to be seen.
Mucus or pus in the stool for more than 2 days.
Loss of bowel control in a toilet trained child occurs 3 or more times.
Fever longer than 3 days.
Close contact with person and animal who has bacterial diarrhea.
Contact with reptile (snake, lizard, turtle) in previous 14 days.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns
Diarrhea persists more than 2 weeks or is a recurrent problem.

Parent Care at Home If

Mild diarrhea, probably viral gastroenteritis and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

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