The MVS contains seven equally weighted variables (Table 1).13 (link) To maintain harmony with the cut-points employed by the original Vesikari Scale,21 (link)-24 (link) we defined scores from of 0-8, 9-10, and ≥ 11 as reflecting mild, moderate, and severe illness, respectively. AGE was defined by diarrhea (i.e. ≥ 3 watery stools in the preceding 24-hour period), for fewer than 7 days. “Watery” was defined as stool taking the shape of a container. Fever was defined as a temperature of 38.0°C documented by any method by any caregiver or professional. Because children were enrolled before physician assessment, only children with a final diagnosis assigned by the responsible ED provider consistent with an acute intestinal infectious process were included in the analysis. Scores assigned to future health care use and treatments provided included only the outcomes that occurred after the initial provider encounter.