How To Manage Dehydration In Children
BY CHIOMA UMEHA Dehydration occurs when a child's body is deficient in fluid. Dehydration can be caused by a lack of fluid intake, vomiting, diarrhoea, or a combination of these factors. Dehydration can occur when you sweat excessively or urinate excessively. Since infants and small children lose fluid more quickly than older children or adults, they are considerably more likely to get dehydrated. Why A Child May Become Dehydrated 1. Dehydration is often caused by a viral infection, which causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a diminished capacity to drink or eat. Example of these viral infections are Rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and Adenovirus. 2. Sometimes wounds in a kid's mouth (produced by a virus) make eating or drinking uncomfortable, which contributes to or worsens dehydration. Other severe bacterial infections may make a child less likely to eat and may induce vomiting and diarrhoea. Common bacterial infections include Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylob