What is Gastroenteritis? Gastroenteritis in Children

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the bowel that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting. It is very common in young children and is mainly caused by stomach viruses.

HOW IS VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS CAUGHT?

The viruses can be easily picked up from other people who may have immunity but pass on the infection. Bacteria, usually on contaminated food and often spread by flies, can also cause the problem.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF STOMACH FLU?

•    Diarrhoea- frequent, loose, watery, greenish motions
•    Vomiting- usually early on
•    Abdominal pain- colicky pain may be present
•    Crying- due to pain, hunger, thirst or nausea
•    Bleeding- uncommon but sometimes seen in motions
•    Fever- sometimes present
•    Anal soreness

WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF GASTROENTERITIS?

The fever settles in a day or so. The diarrhoea may last for up to 10 days, but usually lasts only 2 or 3 days.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF STOMACH FLU?

The serious problems are loss of water and loss of minerals such as sodium chloride and potassium. The younger the child, the greater the danger. The main cause is persistent vomiting.

WHAT ARE THE DANGER SIGNS?

The danger signs are listlessness, difficulty in waking up, sunken eyes, very dry skin and tongue, pallor, and passing of scanty or no urine. If these signs are present, contact your doctor without delay. Your child may need admission to hospital.

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WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR GASTROENTERITIS?

There is no special drug treatment for this problem. The inflamed bowel needs rest, and the body must have water and glucose.

DAY 1

Give fluids a little at a time and often, example, 50 ml every 15 minutes if vomiting a lot. A good method is to give 200 ml of fluid every time a watery stool is passed or a big vomit occurs.

The ideal fluid is a glucose and mineral powder that you can obtain from your pharmacist and make up according to the directions on the packet.

Alternatives are:
1.    Lemonade, not low calorie- 1 part to 4 parts water
2.    Sucrose, table sugar- 1 teaspoon to 240 ml water
3.    Glucose- 1 teaspoon to 240 ml water
4.    Cordials, not low calorie- 1 part to 16 parts water

WARNING: DO NOT USE STRAIGHT LEMONADE OR MIX UP THE GLUCOSE & MINERAL POWDER WITH LEMONADE OR FLUIDS OTHER THAN WATER

DAYS 2 AND 3

Reintroduce your baby’s usual milk or formula diluted to half strength, that is, mix equal quantities of milk or formula and water.

Do not worry that your child is not eating food. Solids can be commenced after 24 hours. Start with jelly, stewed apple, rice, porridge or non-fat potato chips. Avoid fatty foods, fried foods, raw vegetables and fruit and wholegrain bread.

DAY 4

Increase milk to normal strength and gradually reintroduce the usual diet.

BREASTFEEDING

If your baby is not vomiting, continue breastfeeding but offer extra fluids between feeds. If vomiting is a problem, express breast milk for the time being while you follow the oral fluid program.

RULES TO FOLLOW FOR DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING

• Give small amounts of fluid often
• Start bottle feeds after 24 hours
• Continue breastfeeding
• Start solid after 24 hours
• Maintain good hygiene- the problem is infectious

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF:

• Diarrhoea is profuse, example, 8- 10 watery stools (Acute gastroenteritis)
  
• Vomiting persists
• Any of the danger signs are present
• Severe abdominal pain develops
• Diarrhoea persists or recurs with introduction of milk

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

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Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

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Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain (Myalgia)
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nasal Congestion
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Up to $400 per (Parent's) Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella).

National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) Singapore @ MD International Medical Centre. Make your child's vaccination appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

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Public Health Preparedness Clinic

National University Health System Primary Care Network

Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

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