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  • Diarrhea

    What Causes Diarrhea?

    Diarrhea is frequently a sign of infection, especially in children and infants and is commonly viral. Diarrhea may lead—especially in younger children, infants and the elderly—to dehydration (too little fluid in the body) and even shock. Other causes can include eating contaminated food, certain medications or diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system.

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    How can I tell if a person is dehydrated?

    Signs & symptoms of dehydration include:

    • Thirst
    • Dry mouth
    • Dark color urine
    • Decrease in urination/no urination for more than 6 hours or no wet diapers in 3 or more hours (infant)
    • Unusually sleepy or irritable
    • Tenting of the skin if pinched and released
    • Sunken appearance to the abdomen, eyes or cheeks
    • Sunken appearance of the soft spot on the top of a very young infant’s head

    Emergency Steps

    1

    Check the scene safety, form an initial impression, obtain consent and put on PPE, as appropriate.

    2

    Check for signs and symptoms.

    • Sharp or persistent abdominal pain*
    • Signs of dehydration*
    • Black or bloody stool*
    • Signs & symptoms of shock*
    • Frequent loose, watery stool
    • Abdominal pain or cramps

    *Note: Signs and symptoms with a * require immediate emergency medical treatment.

    3

    Call 9-1-1 and get equipment if the person requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

    4

    Give Care.

    Diarrhea FAQs

    Why are children and infants at higher risk for dehydration?

    Children and infants are higher risk because they tend to lose more fluid at a faster rate than adults do. They also can’t get fluid for themselves.

    When should I contact a healthcare provider if a child or infant has dehydration?

    If you think your child or infant has dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea or both, contact a healthcare provider if:

    • Diarrhea or vomiting lasts for more than a few days.
    • They are not able to keep fluids down.
    • The child has not urinated for more than 6 hours.
    • The infant has not had a wet diaper for 3 or more hours.
    • The diarrhea is bloody or black.
    • The child is unusually sleepy or irritable.
    • The child has sharp or persistent abdominal pain.
    • The child cries without tears or has a dry mouth.
    • The child’s abdomen, eyes or cheeks (or, in a very young infant, the soft spot on the head) appears sunken.
    • The child’s skin remains “tented” if pinched and released.

    Adult with Diarrhea

    1. Replace fluids.
    2. Give water, popsicles, oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks.
    3. As symptoms improve, have the person eat a soft, bland diet. If symptoms continue after 2 days, encourage follow up with a healthcare provider.
    4. Continue checking them as appropriate to determine if additional care is needed.
    5. Keep person from getting cold or overheated.
    6. Give care for shock, if necessary.
    7. Position the person as appropriate.
    8. Reassure person you will help and that EMS has been called (if appropriate).
    9. Watch for changes in condition, including breathing and responsiveness, and give care as appropriate and trained.

    Child/Infant with Diarrhea

    1. Maintain a normal well-balanced diet if not vomiting.
      • Include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt and complex carbohydrates.
      • Try to limit sugar and artificial sweeteners.
    2. If also vomiting, diarrhea worsens with normal feedings or child is drinking less fluid than usual, add a commercially available oral rehydration solution designed specifically for children and infants.
    3. After 12 to 24 hours with no vomiting and/or improving diarrhea, gradually reintroduce normal diet. The initial goal is more frequent but smaller feedings.
    4. Do not give over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to young children and infants.
      • In older children, use these medications under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
      • If symptoms continue after 2 days, encourage follow up with a healthcare provider.
    5. Continue checking them as appropriate to determine if additional care is needed.
    6. Keep person from getting cold or overheated.
    7. Give care for shock, if necessary.
    8. Position the person as appropriate.
    9. Reassure person you will help and that EMS has been called (if appropriate).
    10. Watch for changes in condition, including breathing and responsiveness, and give care as appropriate and trained.

    Help Save Lives with an American Red Cross Class

    More than 4.6M people turn to us, the trusted training provider for First Aid, CPR, BLS and more, every year to gain lifesaving skills. Trust us to deliver unmatched lifesaving training that will provide you the confidence and skills to act when moments matter. Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), Babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.

    Information Provided the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC)

    Behind every American Red Cross training program stands the Scientific Advisory Council - a team of experts dedicated to ensuring that what you learn is based on the latest and best emergency science. Visit redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council to see how we work, members, sub councils, scientific reviews, and recent research.

    Download the FREE Red Cross First Aid App

    The free First Aid mobile app by the American Red Cross puts expert advice for common emergencies in the palm of your hand—from the latest First Aid and CPR techniques to the nearest hospital location. Stay up to date on your lifesaving skills. iOS App, Google Play, or text "GETFIRST" to 90999.

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