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What Causes Acute Diarrhoea In An Infant?

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Posted on Wed, 22 Jul 2015
Question: My son is 7 month old and having loose motion from 3 days. Doctor suggested the stool culture and routing. In routine polymorphonuclear leukocytes are detected as 5-7 where as values for these should be 0-5 and mucus is detected.
I asked earlier whether, if medicine provided by doctor is fine or not. In response to it, you replied:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Stool polymorphonuclear leukocytes 5-7 is usually because of infection.
Your doctor has rightly prescribed medicines for that.
Presence of mucus in stools goes along with infection which needs to be treated.
You are on the right track.
I would like to suggest two more
1. Probiotic like bifilac XXXXXXX one in the morning and one in the evening for 5 days.
2. Zinc at 20 mg daily available as drops.
Zinc needs to be given for 2 weeks to help in recovery.
Wishing your child good health.
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX

After 3 doses, my son loose motion frequency is very less compared to first day but not after 5 doses loose motion frequency is increased. I am not sure what is happening. Can you please suggest why it increases because I believe antibiotic start working after 24 hours. I have done the stool culture and it is negative with remarks as PUS CELLS :- 5-7/HPF. Not sure what it means
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Will settle soon. Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing again.
1. Gut infection will take time to settle sometimes upto 2 weeks also.
Even if antibiotics start working after 24 hours the infection will take 3 to 5 days to get cleared. Even after the infection is over, digestion ability will be impaired for a few more days. This is because the intestine wall takes time to repair itself and produce the digestive juices.
Continue the medicines along with the two I has had suggested.
I am sure the illness will settle down soon.
It might increase and decrease inbetween but will settle down.
2. Pus cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the same.
It indicates infection. But don't worry the value is not very high.
In severe infection pus cells go more than 10.
Stool culture is negative. This indicates mild infection only.
No cause for concern.
Wishing your child good health
And speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Arun
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
For how long antibiotic need to be given. Today is third day and 5 doses already given. We are giving 5ML BD...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
complete 5 days

Detailed Answer:
It is better to complete 5 days of antibiotics.
5ml BD is correct dose. No issues.
Complete another 2 days.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Arun

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1959 Questions

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What Causes Acute Diarrhoea In An Infant?

Brief Answer: Will settle soon. Don't worry Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing again. 1. Gut infection will take time to settle sometimes upto 2 weeks also. Even if antibiotics start working after 24 hours the infection will take 3 to 5 days to get cleared. Even after the infection is over, digestion ability will be impaired for a few more days. This is because the intestine wall takes time to repair itself and produce the digestive juices. Continue the medicines along with the two I has had suggested. I am sure the illness will settle down soon. It might increase and decrease inbetween but will settle down. 2. Pus cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the same. It indicates infection. But don't worry the value is not very high. In severe infection pus cells go more than 10. Stool culture is negative. This indicates mild infection only. No cause for concern. Wishing your child good health And speedy recovery. Regards Dr Arun