After the beginning of autumn, the weather gradually turns cool, and we enter the high incidence season of diarrhea, which is also known as autumn diarrhea or rotavirus enteritis, an acute gastrointestinal infection. So how can we prevent autumn diarrhea? Let's find out together.
【How to Prevent Autumn Diarrhea】
1. Pay attention to hygiene
During the high incidence period of rotavirus enteritis in autumn, try to avoid crowded places to minimize cross-infection. Pay attention to disinfection of utensils and wash hands before and after meals.
2. Avoid eating raw and cold food
Eat cooked food, drink boiled water, and eat less cold fruits or food. Make sure that fruits, vegetables, meat products, etc. are fresh and avoid eating spoiled food or leftovers.
3. Ensure air circulation
Do not close doors and windows tightly just because the weather turns cold. Maintain good indoor air circulation to reduce the chance of viral infection.
4. Stay hydrated
Many people believe that "eating more results in more bowel movements, not eating results in no bowel movements," and therefore choose to fast, which only worsens dehydration. Therefore, during diarrhea, there is no need to fast. Instead, it is important to replenish fluids, especially with nutrient-rich liquid or semi-liquid foods such as rice porridge, noodles, milk, and soup.
【Causes of Baby Diarrhea in Autumn】
1. Exposure to cold
As the weather cools down, if the abdomen is exposed by not covering it properly at night, it may lead to diarrhea. Consuming chilled food and drinks can cause excessive coldness in the intestines, resulting in diarrhea and disruption of digestion, causing loose stools.
2. Contaminated food
Accidentally eating food contaminated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella, or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea to varying degrees.
3. Temperature changes
Autumn has large temperature fluctuations, with sudden changes from cold to hot. Climate changes can cause colds, abdominal exposure, and various infections, which can also lead to diarrhea.
4. Viral infection
Improper diet or infection with rotavirus can easily cause diarrhea. In such cases, antibiotics are not necessary and don't have much effect. It is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible and drink water with added sugar and salt at home.
【Care for Baby's Autumn Diarrhea】
1. Avoid taking anti-diarrheal drugs
Just like with other types of diarrhea, it is very dangerous for infants and young children to take adult anti-diarrheal drugs after developing autumn diarrhea.
2. Adjust diet
As long as there is no severe vomiting, most children with autumn diarrhea do not need to fast. For children with severe vomiting, fasting for 4-6 hours is necessary before gradually increasing feeding. Reduce the frequency of milk feeding and provide sugar-salt water to relieve the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Prevent dehydration
Increase fluid intake for the child in small amounts and frequently (mainly plain water). When the child has frequent diarrhea and shows symptoms of dehydration, or has been diagnosed with mild to moderate dehydration, oral rehydration salts should be given. For moderate to severe dehydration or severe vomiting, intravenous fluid administration may be necessary.
4. Keep the abdomen warm
Because the baby's abdomen is prone to coldness, and babies with diarrhea already have increased intestinal motility, exposure of the abdomen to cold can further accelerate intestinal motility and worsen the condition. Therefore, special attention should be paid to keeping the abdomen warm.
