Gastroenteritis In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Gastroenteritis (gas-troh-en-te-REYE-tis) is also called the "stomach flu". It is an infection of the stomach and bowel (intestines). The bowel is the tube that runs from the stomach to the anus. The anus is the opening where your child has bowel movements (BMs). Your child may have stomach cramps or pain, diarrhea (loose BMs), nausea (upset stomach), and vomiting (throwing up). He may have a fever, feel weak, and not feel like eating. Diarrhea and vomiting can cause your child to become dehydrated. Dehydration is when your child loses a lot of water and salts from his body. Dehydration can cause serious medical problems.
  
  
• Gastroenteritis may be caused by germs such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Your child may have picked up these germs from infected food or water. He may also have caught the stomach flu from others. Eating plants or infected seafood may also cause this illness. Your child's blood or BM may need to be tested for germs or parasites. Gastroenteritis usually lasts for 2 to 5 days.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
  
  
• Antibiotics: If bacteria (a type of germ) caused the gastroenteritis, your child may need to take antibiotic medicine. Give this medicine until it is all gone even if your child seems to feels better.
  
  
• Anti-parasitic medicine: This medicine may be given to kill germs called parasites.
  
  
• Antidiarrhea medicine: Do not give your child any medicines for diarrhea and vomiting without checking with his caregiver first. If you are told to give this medicine, follow the caregiver's instructions carefully.

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

What signs and symptoms do children have when they are dehydrated? The first signs and symptoms of dehydration for a baby are the following:

• Wetting five or fewer diapers during a 24 hour time period.
  
  
• Has a dry mouth and cracked lips.
  
  
• Cries with few or no tears.

• Acting sleepier, weaker, or fussier than usual.
  
  
• Eyes that look sunken, and the soft spot on the top of the baby's head looks sunken.
  
  
• Wrinkled skin, and pale (white) hands and feet.

• Having a dry mouth and cracked lips.
  
  
• Crying without tears.
  
  
• Being dizzy.
  
  
• Acting sleepier, fussier, and weaker than normal.
  
  
• Being very thirsty.
  
  
• Urinating less than usual.

How should I help my child at home? Fluid replacement is very important. Replacing body fluids helps prevent and treat dehydration.

• Feed your child liquids and solids according to his condition.
  
  
  • The best way to prevent dehydration is to give your child plenty of fluids, even if he is still occasionally vomiting. Ask your child's caregiver if you should give your child oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to drink. An ORS has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar your child needs to replace body fluids. This may help prevent dehydration. Many brands are available at grocery stores. Ask your child's caregiver which brand you should buy.
    
    
  • Give your baby 1 to 2 teaspoons of ORS every five minutes. Older children can begin with small sips of ORS often. Use a spoon, syringe, cup, or bottle to feed ORS to your child. If your child does not vomit the ORS, slowly give your child more ORS. Encourage, but do not force your child to drink.
    
    
  • Continue giving your baby formula or breast milk during the illness, or follow his caregiver's instructions.
    
    
  • If your child has small amounts of diarrhea but feels OK, offer him his usual foods. If your child is vomiting or has a lot of diarrhea, he can start eating foods when he is ready. Slowly begin to serve him regular foods and continue giving him ORS also.
  
  
• Help your child to rest until he feels better.
  
  
• Give your child medicine if he needs it. Your child may need to use antibiotic medicine, or medicine to kill parasites, which may have caused his gastroenteritis. Diarrhea medicine should not be given to children under two years old. Do not give diarrhea medicine to your child unless his caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Wash your hands, and your child's hands often with soap and warm water. Handwashing may help you and your child prevent spreading gastroenteritis germs to others. Always wash your hands after changing diapers and before fixing food. Your child and all family members should always wash their hands before touching food and eating. Everyone should always wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child will not drink the rehydration fluid (ORS) as ordered by his caregiver.
  
  
• Call if your child keeps vomiting up the ORS.
  
  
• Your child's diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about feeding or caring for your child while he is sick.
  
  
• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You see blood in your child's diarrhea or in his vomit.
  
  
• Your child is not drinking enough fluids and has signs of dehydration.
  
  
• Your child has not urinated in eight hours.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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