


If you do vigorous activity and don't replace fluids as you go along, you can become dehydrated. The problem worsens if you have a fever in addition to diarrhea and vomiting.

In general, the higher your fever, the more dehydrated you may become. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals. Severe, acute diarrhea - that is, diarrhea that comes on suddenly and violently - can cause a tremendous loss of water and electrolytes in a short amount of time. Sometimes dehydration occurs for simple reasons: You don't drink enough because you're sick or busy, or because you lack access to safe drinking water when you're traveling, hiking or camping.
