Gastroenteritis

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When to see the doctor

Take your child to the doctor if: 

• there is a lot of diarrhoea (8-10 watery stools, or 2-3 very large stools per day)
• vomiting is frequent and your child seems unable to keep any fluids down
• your child appears to be dehydrated – not passing urine, pale and thin, sunken eyes, cold hands and feet, drowsiness
• your child develops severe abdominal pain.

What causes it?

Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus that infects the bowel and causes inflammation, which leads to diarrhoea and vomiting.

What are the symptoms?

Gastroenteritis is common in babies and toddlers, and is characterised by the sudden onset of diarrhoea, accompanied by vomiting and abdominal cramps. If adequate fluid intake is not kept up, there is a risk that the child will become dehydrated.

How is it treated?

Most cases of gastroenteritis in children are not serious, but it is important to make sure that your child receives adequate fluid. Electrolyte replacement drinks can help prevent dehydration.

Medicines to stop diarrhoea and vomiting do not help at all and can have significant side effects in children. Similarly, there is no need to give antibiotics of any kind – the most common cause of gastroenteritis is a virus, which does not respond to antibiotics.

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