Probiotics Ease Childhood Diarrhea
HVIDOVRE, Denmark - A new study shows "good bacteria" may help children recover from bouts of diarrhea.
Researchers at the University Clinic of Pediatrics in Denmark gave children with diarrhea a supplement containing two different strains of lactobacillus.The bacteria, which are commonly found in yogurt, were shown to ease diarrhea and reduce hospital stays. Studying 69 children age 6 months to 3 years old, the researchers gave the supplement to 50 percent of the group. The others received a placebo.
The supplement contained lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri. It was given twice a day for 5 days.
The children who were given the "good bacteria" reportedly recovered in 1.7 days, in comparison to the placebo group that spent 3.5 days in the hospital. The supplement group also had fewer signs of rotavirus infection - the leading cause of diarrhea in children.
The researchers concluded probiotic treatment can help children in early stages of diarrhea.
Information from www.reuters.com
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
