Gastroenteritis In Children

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is a common infection of the stomach and intestines (where food is digested). It may be called stomach flu.

What causes gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis occurs when a germ infects your child's stomach and intestines. It may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites (bugs that can live inside your child). Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.

What increases the risk for gastroenteritis?

• Close contact with an infected person or animal: This includes drinking from the same glass, or sharing clothes or linens. Daycare centers and public swimming pools are common places for the spread of gastroenteritis. Your child also may get gastroenteritis from handling animals, such as at a petting zoo.
  
  
• Food poisoning: Food can be infected when it is picked, processed, or cooked. Common infected foods include:
  
  
  • Eggs
    
    
  • Meat that is not fully cooked
    
    
  • Raw vegetables
    
    
  • Shellfish
    
    
  • Fried rice
  
  
• Drinking water that is not clean: This may occur when your child camps or travels.

What are the signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Your child may have no signs or symptoms. He may have any of the following:

• Diarrhea or gas
  
  
• Nausea, vomiting, or poor appetite
  
  
• Abdominal (belly) cramps, pain, or gurgling
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Fatigue (very tired), weakness, or being fussy
  
  
• Headaches or muscle aches along with above symptoms

How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?

Your child's caregiver will examine your child. He will check for signs of dehydration (your child loses body fluids and nutrients). He also will ask you how often your child is vomiting or having diarrhea. He will want to know how much your child is drinking and urinating.

• Blood tests: Your child may need blood tests to give caregivers information about how his body is working. The blood may be taken from your child's arm, hand, finger, foot, heel, or IV.
  
  
• Stool sample: A sample of your child's bowel movement (stool) is sent to a lab for tests. The tests may show what germ is causing his illness. This helps caregivers learn what medicine is best to treat your child.

How is gastroenteritis treated?

Gastroenteritis usually lasts for 1 to 10 days. It may last longer. Gastroenteritis often clears up on its own. Medicine is usually not needed to treat gastroenteritis in children. It is most important to prevent or treat dehydration.

• Continue to feed your baby formula or breast milk: Be sure to refrigerate any unused portion. Formula or breast milk that is left out may make your child sicker.
  
  
• Give your child oral rehydration solution: Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS contains water, salts, and sugar that are needed to replace lost body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much to give your child, and where to get it.
  
  
• Feed your child his normal foods: Offer your child his usual foods if he feels okay. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, he can start eating foods when he is ready. Slowly begin to give him regular foods. Continue to give him an ORS also. Do not give your child dairy products or sugary drinks until he feels better.

How can I help prevent gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis can spread easily. If your child is sick, keep him home from school or daycare. Keep your child, yourself, and your surroundings clean to help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis.

• Wash hands, laundry, and surfaces: Your child and all household members must always wash their hands after they go to the bathroom or change diapers. Throw diapers away immediately. Wash the clothes and towels your child uses while he is ill separately from other laundry. Clean surfaces in your home with antibacterial cleaner or bleach.
  
  
• Cook safely: Wash your hands and raw vegetables before you cook. Have your child and all household members wash their hands before they eat. Cook meat, fish, and eggs fully. Do not use the same dishes for raw meat as you do for other foods. Refrigerate unused portions immediately.
  
  
• Be aware when you camp or travel: Have your child drink only clean water. Do not let him drink from rivers or lakes unless you purify or boil the water first. When your child travels, have him drink bottled water and avoid ice. Do not give him unpeeled fruit to eat. Have him avoid raw fish or meat that is not fully cooked.
  
  
• Consider immunization: You can have your child immunized for rotavirus. This is a shot to protect him from getting the virus. Ask your caregiver for more information.

What are the risks of gastroenteritis?

• With continued diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, your child could become dehydrated. Dehydration can be a very serious problem for infants and small children. It may be life-threatening. Medicines may make your child sick to his stomach.
  
  
• Without treatment, gastroenteritis may lead to other infections or more serious illnesses. It can affect your child's organs, such as his kidneys. Talk to your child's caregiver about any concerns you have with your child's condition, treatment, or care.

When should I contact my child's caregiver?

Contact your child's caregiver if:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child will not drink.
  
  
• Your child continues to vomit or have diarrhea, even after treatment.
  
  
• You see worms in your child's diarrhea.
  
  
• Your child is fussier than usual or is not as active.
  
  
• Your child's arms or legs seem cold to the touch.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek immediate help or call 911 if:

• Your child has signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth or eyes. He may urinate less than usual, or not at all.
  
  
• You see blood in your child's diarrhea.
  
  
• Your child's legs or arms are cold to the touch. They may be blue.
  
  
• Your child is having trouble breathing or has a very fast pulse.
  
  
• Your child is shaking or has a seizure (uncontrolled movements).
  
  
• Your child is very sleepy, or you cannot wake him.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

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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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