Doctor at Clalit warns: We are seeing an increase in cases of children with diarrhea and vomiting

Dr. Basel Abu Ja'far, a pediatric specialist at Clalit in the Southern District, warns of a rise in cases of children with diarrhea and vomiting during the summer. He attributes this to settings like camps and pools, and recommends ensuring adequate fluids, hand washing, food refrigeration, and vigilance for signs of dehydration. The article emphasizes that thirst is not an early sign of dehydration, and that even mild dehydration impairs brain function and mood.

Dr. Basel Abu Ja'far, a pediatric specialist at Clalit Health Services in the Southern District, warns of an increase in cases of children with diarrhea and vomiting during the summer. He explains that children are in camps, pools, and other frameworks, so intestinal infections can spread quickly and reach home. 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. Additionally, in heat, the risk of dehydration in a child who is already experiencing diarrhea or vomiting is higher. The message to parents is simple: plenty of fluids, hand washing, keeping food refrigerated, and vigilance for signs of dehydration. The article notes that thirst is not the first sign of dehydration, as when one feels 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. In children, the impact is more severe, as about 85% of their brain is composed of fluids, compared to about 75% in adults. Recent studies indicate that even a slight decrease in fluids can affect mood and cause irritability, fatigue, and impatience.