Gastroenteritis in children

Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection which causes diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea is runny, watery bowel motions. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhea may last up to 10 days. Bouts of gastro can cause dehydration which can be dangerous for very young babies.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis in babies 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the classic signs of a stomach bug. Your little one will probably have a decreased appetite, which is good because when the stomach is that upset, whatever goes in almost inevitably comes out. Kids who have a stomach bug may also have a low-grade fever, abdominal pain and muscle aches.  

Tests for gastroenteritis in babies

Most of the time, the “stomach flu” is diagnosed based on baby’s symptoms. (Is he throwing up frequently? Having lots of loose, runny stools? He probably has a stomach bug -- especially if symptoms subside in a day or so.)

If your child’s symptoms aren’t improving and you take him in to the doctor, they may collect a stool sample, which can be sent to a lab to determine the cause of infection. A stool sample can be helpful in ruling out a bacterial or parasitic infection (which could cause similar 

In most cases, gastroenteritis does not need to be diagnosed because the illness usually disappears without treatment.

• A diagnosis is usually only needed in certain situations, such as if:
• Your child has recently been abroad. They may have acquired a more serious type of infection, for example one caused by a parasite.
• Their diarrhoea symptoms do not improve after seven days.
• They have persistent vomiting without diarrhoea. 
• They have symptoms that are not usually associated with gastroenteritis.
• There is blood or mucus in their stools.
• Your child has a weakened immune system due to a health condition, such as acute leukaemia, or as a side effect of a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Preventing gastroenteritis

• As gastroenteritis can be very infectious, it is important to take steps to prevent it spreading from your child to other children. You should:
• Encourage your child to wash their hands properly after going to toilet and before eating.
• Clean the potty or toilet thoroughly using disinfectant after each episode of diarrhoea and vomiting, making sure that you also clean the handle and seat.
• Wash your hands regularly, particularly after changing a nappy or cleaning a potty.
• Don't share your child’s towels, flannels, cutlery or eating utensils with other members of your household.
• Don't allow your child to return to nursery or school until 48 hours have passed since their last episode of diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Don't allow your child to go swimming in a pool for the first two weeks after their last episode of diarrhoea. Even though they won't have symptoms, research has found that the rotavirus can spread to other children through pool water.

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