Health Tip: When Infants Get Diarrhea

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(HealthDay News) -- Diarrhea in infants is common, often a quick bout caused by a virus. But in some cases among young children, diarrhea can quickly become dangerous, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

If you have a newborn younger than 3 months, call your child's pediatrician at the first sign of diarrhea, the agency advises.

In any child, bloody diarrhea or a case that lasts longer than two days also should prompt a call to the doctor.

While your child has diarrhea, make sure he or she drinks lots of fluids. A drink that contains electrolytes is best to help prevent dehydration. For young infants, continue nursing, and ask your doctor about giving extra fluids.

-- Diana Kohnle

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