Are Any Medicines Necessary For Treating Diarrhea?
Most children with diarrhea caused by an intestinal virus do not require treatment with any antidiarrheal medicines. Antidiarrheal medicines may only prolong your child’s illness. Dietary changes are most effective (as described above) and should be used first. Imodium A-D may be used if your child is not sick and the diarrhea is persisting greater than 4 days. Do not use in a child less than 2 years of age. Do not use during the first 72 hours of diarrhea, and only use for a maximum of 3 days. Call Our Office If Any Of The Following Are Present: 1. Your child appears sick or signs of dehydration are present (see above). 2. Your child is having persistent vomiting or blood in the stool. 3. You feel your child is not drinking adequate fluids as described above. 4. Diarrhea is not improving with the treatments suggested above. Our goal is to prevent dehydration. Adequate fluid intake with the proper electrolytes is necessary to prevent dehydration. Avoid plain water as the only source of
