Diarrhea, Age 11 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Do you think your child's diarrhea may be caused by a medicine?

See significance of medicines if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Did your child's diarrhea start after an increase in a dose of medicine or after taking a new medicine?

Note:

Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine whether your child should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary. If your child is taking a nonprescription medicine, stop the medicine. Call your child's doctor if you feel your child needs to continue taking the medicine.

Yes

Did your child's diarrhea start after starting treatment with an antibiotic?

Yes

Did your child's diarrhea start within 2 weeks of stopping treatment with an antibiotic?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	April 28, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer