Patient's question:
I had diarrhea for 3 consecutive days in August, with more than 5 episodes per day. My stool routine test was normal. Why? Also, can a stool routine test detect rotavirus infection?First question supplement: The stool was yellow and watery, with a sour odor!
Doctor's answer:
Hello, acute watery diarrhea is mostly caused by rotavirus or toxigenic bacterial infection. In children, especially infants under two years old, diarrhea occurring in autumn and winter is more likely to be rotavirus enteritis, while in summer, it is more likely to be enteritis caused by toxigenic Escherichia coli. Clinically, it is important to differentiate it from bacterial dysentery, cholera, and other intestinal infectious diseases. If the child does not show obvious dehydration, home treatment can be administered. The principles are as follows:1. Give the child more oral fluids as soon as diarrhea starts to prevent dehydration. It is recommended to use:
① Salted rice soup solution. Preparation method: 500 ml of rice soup (1 jin bottle, equivalent to a bottle of liquor) + 1.75 g of fine salt (half of one beer cap). Take it orally at any time, giving as much as the child can drink.
② Sugar saline solution. Preparation method: 500 ml of boiled water + 10 g of sucrose (2 small spoons) + 1.75 g of fine salt. Take it orally at any time.
2. Provide the child with enough food to prevent malnutrition.
3. Closely monitor the child's condition. If the clinical symptoms do not improve within three days of treatment or if any of the following symptoms appear, the child should be taken to the hospital for medical attention:
① Increased frequency and volume of diarrhea
② Frequent vomiting
③ Significant thirst
④ Inability to eat normally
⑤ Fever
⑥ Bloody stools