Children's Health

Diarrhea in Children: Causes and Treatments

When to Call a Doctor About Your Child's Diarrhea

Diarrhea usually goes away in a few days, but it can lead to complications. If your child has any of these symptoms, don't wait, get help.

Call 911 if your child:

• Is too weak to stand up
• Is confused or dizzy

Call your doctor right away if your child:

• Seems very sick
• Has had diarrhea more than three days
• Is younger than 6 months old
• Is vomiting blood
• Can't hold down fluids or has vomited more than two times
• Has a fever over 105° F; or is under 6 months with a fever over 100.4° F taken rectally. (Do not give infants fever medicine.)
• Seems dehydrated
• Has bloody stool
• Is less than a month old with three or more episodes of diarrhea
• Passes more than four diarrhea stools in eight hours and isn't drinking enough
• Has a weak immune system
• Has a rash
• Has stomach pain for more than two hours