Gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and children. It is usually caused by viruses or bacteria that infect the bowel. Typically, gastro begins with vomiting. Children then develop frequent, watery diarrhoea. Often children may have tummy pain and fever with the diarrhoea. Some children may have a runny nose, or a sore throat.
Gastro usually lasts for three or four days. It may take a week or so for the motions to become normal. Higher or more prolonged fever, more severe tummy pain, and blood or mucus with the diarrhoea, may suggest that gastro is caused by bacteria. These bacterial infections are sometimes linked to food poisoning.
How is gastro spread? Viral gastro can be easily spread from person to person. It is very important to keep children with gastro away from other children outside of your family. They should not go to day-care, kindergarten or school whilst they are sick.
Hand-washing with soap and water (for example, after nappy changes or going to the toilet, as well as before and after food preparation) is very important to stop the spread of the virus.
What to do
In our community, most children with gastro recover quickly. The major concern with gastro is that children can become dehydrated (dry) due to loss of fluid in the vomit and diarrhoea. Younger children, or children with other health problems, may become dehydrated more quickly. Encouraging your child to drink fluids is very important.
When should you consult a doctor immediately?
• Your child is less than six months old
• Your child has other health problems
• You are unable to get your child to take the
right amount of fluids
• Your child keeps vomiting or going to the toilet
• Your child is very tired or drowsy
• There is blood or mucus in your child’s stool
• Your child has persistent tummy pain
• Your child has high fever
• If your child has unexpected symptoms (eg pain
when passing urine, headache etc)
• Or if your child does not seem to be getting better.
What to do for a breastfed infant
• Continue breast feeding on demand or at
least every two hours.
• In between breast feeds, water or oral rehydration
solution may be offered.
• Do not give solids if your child is vomiting
Always remember
• If your baby is less than six months old and has
gastroenteritis, see a doctor as soon as possible.
• Other members of the family may be affected.
• Young children tend to be affected most.
• Give enough fluids to cover normal requirements and
to replace what is lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
