Gastroenteritis (Gastro)
WHAT IS IT?
Gastroenteritis (gastro) is a bowel infection that causes diarrhoea (runny, watery poo) and sometimes vomiting
SYMPTOMS- Feel unwell
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
The mainstay treatment is fluid replacement which helps to replenish fluids lost during vomiting or diarrhoea. Hydralyte and Gastrolyte are common brands that are used to assist with this and the best way to use these products are to sip on the fluids slowly as frequently as possible, especially if there is a lot of fluid loss.
NON-MEDICINAL APPROACHES
- It’s ok if your child refuses food when they first get gastro, as long as they are drinking enough fluids
- Some medicines to help reduce vomiting and diarrhoea should not be given to children as they may be harmful
- Ensure adequate hygiene measures due to the infectious nature of gastro
- You can continue to breast/bottle feed your baby but in smaller and more frequent amounts
- Offer your baby a drink of rehydration solution every time they vomit
- Green vomit
- Severe stomach pain
- Blood in the faeces
- Babies under 6 months because they are at risk of severe dehydration
- Vomiting and have diarrhoea, and are not drinking or able to keep fluids down
- Very frequent diarrhoea (more than eight times per day) or diarrhoea lasting for more than 10 days
- Seem dehydrated (e.g. not passing urine, have lost weight, have dry lips and mouth, have sunken eyes, have cold hands and feet, don’t have tears when they cry, or it is hard to wake them up)