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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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
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Fatigue
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New loss of taste or smell
Nausea / Vomiting
Diarrhoea

Why the Flu Vaccination is Important

during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Asymptomatic patients may not display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza as the stop gap until the COVID vaccine is found. The Flu vaccine would protect susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

- Latest Influenza Vaccine

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. In the event that a person displays flu-like symptoms after the Flu vaccination, both Flu and H1N1 may be excluded in his diagnosis, and treatment can be sought quickly should the patient have contracted COVID-19.

Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Latest COVID-19 Updates & Health Tips

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

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).

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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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