In most cases, no. The diarrhoea will get all right by itself in a day
or two. If there is any blood or mucous in the stools, any fever or vomiting, you must see
the doctor immediately. Don't take any medicines yourself, It is important to follow the
doctor's advice.
You should also see the doctor if the child's condition gets worse or if
there are any signs of dehydration.
Drugs should not be used except in the most severe cases. Even then they
should be administered with care, preferably after the organism causing the diarrhoea has
been identified. Small children with dysentery and fever require an antibiotic. Refer such
patients to a health service for advice. ORT on its own is usually enough to rehydrate the
child. Unnecessary antibiotic therapy upsets the normal bacteriological balance of the
intestine. Many anti-diarrhoeal preparations have proved to be either ineffective or too
powerful for very small infants.
Is
it necessary to use drugs as well as ORT?
