[Medical Q&A] If a child has bacillary dysentery, what should he pay attention to in his diet?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Huang Lei, deputy chief physician, Fifth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

Bacillary dysentery is an acute intestinal infectious disease caused by Shigella dysenteriae. The main symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a feeling of always having to defecate but not completely passing stool (tenesmus), and stools with mucus, pus and blood. The disease usually presents with acute attacks, but infections may recur. If not treated in time or with improper medication, acute dysentery may turn into a chronic disease.

Once a child has bacillary dysentery, they should avoid meat juice and animal offal, crude fiber, food that easily causes flatulence, spicy and irritating food, contaminated food, and cold and slippery food in order to reduce the burden on the intestines. In addition, they should limit the intake of sweets, fresh milk, condensed milk, soda, tofu, sweet potatoes, etc. to prevent intestinal flatulence. At the same time, pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm and avoid cold water baths.

Note 1: Do not stop your child from eating just because he has diarrhea. Instead, let your child eat some easily digestible, light and nutritious soft food for three meals, such as noodle soup, rice porridge, etc. During the recovery period, eat semi-liquid food without residue, such as porridge, noodles, noodles, small wontons, etc. You can resume normal diet after the bowel movement is normal.

Note 2: Give your child water in time. If the condition is serious, you should follow the doctor's advice to supplement with oral rehydration salts. Encourage the child to drink more water to ensure adequate fluid intake.

Note 3: If the child has frequent diarrhea and vomiting, he or she should be temporarily prohibited from eating and drinking, and should be given water and calories through veins to replenish the glucose and minerals lost in the body and regulate potassium, sodium, electrolytes, water and acid-base balance.