Diarrhoea in young children
Fact sheet2 - Health conditions directory
Diarrhoea is an increase in the frequency, runniness or volume of the faeces. Acute diarrhoea may be a symptom of infection of the digestive system (gastroenteritis) which is usually caused by a virus, but sometimes is caused by bacteria or parasites. It may also occur in association with other communicable diseases such as measles and malaria. The exact cause of diarrhoea can only be diagnosed by laboratory tests of faecal specimens. Sometimes several specimens must be tested.