Clalit doctor warns: We are seeing an increase in visits from children with diarrhea and vomiting
A pediatrician from the Clalit Health Services Southern District, Dr. Basel Abu Jaafar, notes that during the summer period there is an increase in visits from children with diarrhea and vomiting. How to avoid it? "Plenty of fluids, hand washing, and alertness to signs."
"During the summer period, we are seeing an increase in visits from children with diarrhea and vomiting. Sometimes, one child gets sick and after a day or two, siblings and parents join in as well," warns Dr. Basel Abu Jaafar, a pediatrician at Clalit Health Services in the Southern District, today, Monday.
"Children are in summer camps, pools, and other settings, and therefore, intestinal infections can spread quickly and reach home," he explains. "The heat itself does not cause diarrhea, but it increases the risk of food spoilage and bacterial growth when food is not kept properly refrigerated. In addition, in the heat, the risk of dehydration for a child who is already suffering from diarrhea or vomiting is higher."
Dr. Abu Jaafar notes that the message to parents is simple:
"Plenty of fluids, hand washing, maintaining food refrigeration, and alertness to signs of dehydration."
How much water should one drink per day?
Among the general population, recommendations vary depending on factors such as age, gender, level of physical activity, and health status. For healthy men aged 19 and older, the recommendation is to consume about 3.7 liters of fluids per day, while for women of these ages, it is recommended to consume about 2.7 liters. However, it is important to remember that the recommendations are general, and optimal fluid intake may vary depending on each person's individual needs. Therefore, it is recommended to listen to the body and drink water according to thirst and various physiological conditions.
Most people think that thirst is the first sign of dehydration, but the truth is that when we feel thirsty, the body is already at a fluid deficit of at least 12%. Even mild dehydration affects brain function: decreased concentration, fatigue, and even headaches. All of these can be a sign of a lack of fluids in the body. In children, the effect is even more severe, as about 85% of their brain is composed of fluids (over time, the composition of tissues changes, and the percentage of fluids in the body and brain decreases slightly — around 75% in adults).
Between dehydration and mood
We are used to thinking about drinking in the context of physical activity, sweat, and heat. But what about feeling irritable for no reason or a drop in mood? Recent studies indicate that even a slight decrease in body fluids can affect mood. Dehydration can cause a feeling of heaviness, fatigue, impatience, and sometimes even a more extreme emotional response than usual. In children, symptoms such as lack of concentration, temper tantrums, or sudden fatigue can be a sign of dehydration.
