Dehydration

Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause dehydration, especially if your child cannot drink enough to replace the fluid that is lost.

Some common signs of dehydration include:
  • Dry skin or mouth
  • No tear production when crying
  • Infrequent urination or small amounts of dark-colored urine. If your child wears diapers, count the hours between wet diapers.
Call your healthcare provider if your child shows any of these signs of dehydration.

If your child has vomiting or diarrhea:
  • Have your child drink a small amount of fluid at least every 30 minutes.
  • Give your child foods that are easy to digest, such as crackers, rice, toast or soup.
  • Offer your child cold foods that do not have strong odors.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medicines to decrease nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.