Diarrhea is poop that's loose or watery. If it lasts for more than a few weeks, it's called chronic diarrhea.

Offer your child plenty of liquids and make any diet changes as recommended by your healthcare provider. It's important to make sure your child gets enough liquids so they don't get dehydrated (not have enough water in the body).

Here's how to care for your child.

• Continue giving your child their regular diet of foods unless your healthcare provider recommended changing their diet.
• Encourage your child to drink extra liquids:
  • If your healthcare provider recommends it, offer an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte® or a store brand). You can buy it at drugstores or supermarkets without a prescription. You also can give frozen electrolyte pops.
  • Don't offer juice, sodas, or sports drinks. They can make diarrhea worse.
  • Don't give medicine for the diarrhea unless your healthcare provider has prescribed it. Medicines that slow down diarrhea can cause problems such as sleepiness or belly pain and may be unsafe for kids and teens.
• You will know your child is getting enough liquids if:
  • They are peeing at least 4 times a day and the pee is light yellow.
  • Their mouth is moist.

Your child:

• Has diarrhea that continues or that gets worse
• Vomits (throws up) more than once or twice
• Has a poor appetite, is losing weight, or is not gaining weight as expected
• Has black poop or poop with streaks of blood or mucus in it
• Seems to be getting sicker
• Gets new or worsening symptoms such as belly pain or fever
• Isn't back to their regular diet within about a week

Your child:

• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, extreme thirst, less pee than usual, darker pee than usual, little or no tears when crying, or decreased alertness
• Has severe belly pain

You know your child best. If they seem very sick or have symptoms that worry you, call your healthcare provider or take them to the ER.

What causes chronic diarrhea? Many things can cause chronic diarrhea, including:

• Infections from a virus or bacteria (different types of germs)
• Too much of some kinds of foods or drinks, such as too much juice
• Food allergies or intolerances, such as lactose intolerance
• Problems with the digestive system, such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Does my child need an antibiotic? In kids, diarrhea is usually caused by a virus. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses. If your healthcare provider thinks your child's diarrhea is from bacteria, they will prescribe an antibiotic.

How do oral electrolyte solutions help keep a child hydrated? These solutions contain a balanced mix of water, electrolytes (sodium, chloride, and potassium), and sugars (glucose). They provide the fluids the child needs and replace the liquids and electrolytes that are lost through diarrhea or vomiting. This helps prevent or treat dehydration and keep the body's electrolytes balanced.