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What Causes Diarrhea While On Antibiotics For Ear Infection?
Question: My 18 month old has been on amoxicillan for the past 4 days for an ear infection. Today during nap time he had a big episode of diarrhea. He wasnt crying but when i went to check on him I saw that he had some diarrhea and some of it ended up on his hand and i noticed some on his cheek. He uses a pacifier and i am worried that some of it could have gotten in his mouth either through the pacifier or his hand. If it did get in his mouth, would it be possible for him to get sick from eating his own feces? I know bacteria like e. coli naturally live in our intestine and am worried he could contract e. coli from something like this. I also know that antibiotics lower the bodys ability to fight e. coli and makes the risk higher for complications.
He doesnt have e. coli but i am wondering if it is possible for him to contract e. coli or another disease if some of his diarrhea ended up in his mouth.
He doesnt have e. coli but i am wondering if it is possible for him to contract e. coli or another disease if some of his diarrhea ended up in his mouth.
Brief Answer:
E coli infection
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM wtih your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your 18 month old had an episode of diarrhea. This is a direct result of the antibiotics and is common and almost expected when taking antibiotics. You child will be okay despite having possibly swallowed some feces. The E. coli in his colon is not the subtype that will cause food poisoning. He should be perfectly fine. I would recommend that you allow your child to drink plenty of fluids while he has diarrhea and may need to use pedialyte if he has frequent bowel movements. The pedialyte is an electrolyte solution formulated for children with diarrhea and dehydration.
The other thing to know is that the antibiotics your child is taking will help kill off the E coli so you don't need to worry.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
E coli infection
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM wtih your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your 18 month old had an episode of diarrhea. This is a direct result of the antibiotics and is common and almost expected when taking antibiotics. You child will be okay despite having possibly swallowed some feces. The E. coli in his colon is not the subtype that will cause food poisoning. He should be perfectly fine. I would recommend that you allow your child to drink plenty of fluids while he has diarrhea and may need to use pedialyte if he has frequent bowel movements. The pedialyte is an electrolyte solution formulated for children with diarrhea and dehydration.
The other thing to know is that the antibiotics your child is taking will help kill off the E coli so you don't need to worry.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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