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Diarrhea in children Philippines treatment guide
Health ConditionsDiarrhea

Diarrhea in ChildrenPhilippines Parent Guide — ORS, Dehydration & When to Go to Hospital

Diarrhea is one of the top causes of child death in the Philippines — but most deaths are preventable with proper rehydration. Learn the ORS method, dehydration signs, and when to rush to the ER.

Dehydration Signs
ORS Guide
When to Go to ER
Check Symptoms (AI)
Severity Guide

How Serious Is Your Child's Diarrhea?

Use this guide to determine if home treatment is enough or if you need to go to a doctor

Mild Diarrhea

Manage at Home

Give ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) after every loose stool.

  • Fewer than 4 loose stools per day with no blood
  • Child is alert, playing, and drinking fluids normally
  • No signs of dehydration — normal tears, wet diapers
  • Continue breastfeeding — do NOT stop breastfeeding during diarrhea
  • Give ORS: 50–100 mL after every loose stool for infants; 100–200 mL for older children
ORS Guide

ORS Dosing by Age — Philippines

Give ORS after every loose stool AND if your child is vomiting. This is the single most important action you can take.

Child AgeAmount After Each StoolNote
0–2 months50–100 mL per loose stoolContinue breastfeeding — never give plain water to newborns
2–12 months50–100 mL per loose stoolUse WHO-ORS or Hydrite — available at any Mercury Drug
1–5 years100–200 mL per loose stoolOffer slowly with a spoon — don't force large amounts at once
5+ years200–300 mL per loose stoolChild-friendly flavored ORS works well for school-age children

Emergency ORS Recipe (if no pharmacy nearby):

1 liter clean boiled water + 6 level teaspoons of sugar + ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir until dissolved. Use within 24 hours.

Dehydration Signs

Check for Dehydration — Know the Signs

Sunken eyes or fontanelle (soft spot)

Moderate–Severe

Dry or sticky mouth and tongue

Moderate

No tears when crying

Moderate

Skin returns slowly when pinched

Severe

Dark yellow or no urine for 6+ hours

Severe

Child is unusually drowsy or limp

Severe
Common Causes

What's Causing Your Child's Diarrhea?

Rotavirus

Most common cause in Filipino children under 5. Now preventable with the DOH-added rotavirus vaccine.

E. coli Infection

Common in the Philippines from contaminated water or undercooked food. May produce bloody diarrhea.

Contaminated Water

Typhoid and cholera are still risk factors in flooding events. Drinking untreated water is a common trigger.

Food Poisoning

Lukewarm rice, street food, and improperly stored food are frequent triggers in Philippine households.

Antibiotics

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is common — always complete the course, and give probiotics alongside if prescribed.

Parasites

Giardia and amoeba are common in the Philippines. Usually present with chronic loose stools or stools with blood and mucus.

FAQ

Diarrhea Q&A for Filipino Parents

Related Health Guides

Dengue Fever GuideFever in ChildrenHFMD GuideAI Symptom CheckerVaccine Schedule 2026

Worried About Your Child's Diarrhea?

Use MAIA to assess dehydration risk immediately. Keep ORS at home at all times.

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