What do I do if a child has diarrhea?

Diarrhea is usually caused by one of the infections described under the gastrointestinal section in the Guide to Common Infections booklet. Generally, all the germs that cause diarrhea are found and spread through the feces of an infected person. These germs can spread directly from person to person and indirectly from contaminated hands of staff and children, objects, surfaces, food, or water.
Diarrhea may be dangerous in infants and young children because the loss of fluid may cause dehydration. Children should be excluded from school until the diarrhea is gone or a doctor determines the child is not infectious.
Parents should be notified at once if any of the following are present:
• 2 or more episodes of diarrhea or diarrhea with fever over 39°C (102°F)
• Repeated vomiting
• Dehydration
• Blood or mucous in stool.
If two or more children have diarrhea in the same facility within 48 hours of each other, it must be reported to the Health Unit. Any case of bloody or diagnosed bacterial diarrhea also needs to be reported.

What do I do if a child is bitten by another?

Young children often bite. Most bites are harmless and don’t break the skin. If a bite breaks the skin, it can transmit Hepatitis B. A child with Hepatitis B who bites another and breaks the skin may expose the child who was bitten to Hepatitis B infection. Another high risk situation occurs when an unvaccinated child bites an infected one, and the blood from the infected child enters the biter’s mouth. If that happens, a child who is not vaccinated against Hepatitis B should be treated by a doctor. The Health Unit should also be notified.

If the skin isn’t broken, clean the wound with soap and water, and apply a cold compress.

If the skin is broken:

1. Tell the parents.
2. Let the wound bleed gently.
3. Clean with soap and water.
4. Apply a mild antiseptic.

Parents should:

• Check whether the child has an up-to-date tetanus shot.
• Watch the wound over the next few days.
• Visit a doctor if it gets red or begins to swell.
• Talk with their doctor about vaccinating their child against Hepatitis B.