Information for Parents

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut (intestines). It is very common and many children have more than one episode in a year.

Many viruses, bacteria and other microbes (germs) can cause gastroenteritis. A virus (especially Rotavirus and Adenovirus) is the most common cause.

What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?

The main symptoms are:

• This means loose or watery stools (faeces), usually at least three times in 24 hours. Blood or mucus can appear in the stools with some infections.

• being sick (vomiting)

• dehydration

• crampy pains in the tummy (abdomen)

• high temperature (fever)

In most children, the symptoms are mild and tend to get better within 5 to 7 days. Slightly loose stools may persist for a week before a normal pattern returns.

What do I need to know?

In most cases the infection clears within a few days. The main risk is lack of fluid in the body (dehydration). The main treatment is to give your child lots to drink. This may mean giving special rehydration drinks.

Children can usually be treated at home. Occasionally, admission to hospital is needed if symptoms are severe, or if complications develop.

Tests are not usually needed. However, in certain cases, the doctor may ask you to collect a stool (faeces) sample from your child. This can then be examined to look for the cause of the infection.

Medication is not usually needed. You should not give medicines to stop diarrhoea to children. However, you can give paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease a high temperature.

Gastroenteritis can very easily be passed on from person to person. If your baby has gastroenteritis, be especially careful to wash your hands after changing nappies and before preparing, serving, or eating food.

For older children, whilst they have gastroenteritis, the following are recommended:

• Regularly clean the toilets used, with disinfectant. Also, clean the flush handle, toilet seat, sink taps, bathroom surfaces and door handles at least daily with hot water and detergent.

• If a potty is used, wear gloves when you handle it, dispose of the contents into a toilet, then wash the potty with hot water and detergent and leave it to dry.

• Make sure your child washes their hands after going to the toilet.

• If clothing or bedding is soiled, first remove any stools (faeces) into the toilet. Then wash in a separate wash at as high a temperature as possible.

• Don’t let your child share towels and don’t let them help to prepare food for others.

• They should stay off school or nursery until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or being sick (vomiting). They should also avoid contact with other children, during this time.

Proper storage, preparation and cooking of food and good hygiene help to prevent gastroenteritis. In particular, always wash your hands, and teach children to wash theirs:

• After going to the toilet (and after changing nappies).

• Before touching food. And also, between handling raw meat and food ready to be eaten.

• After playing with pets (healthy animals can carry certain harmful bacteria).

When to be concerned

You should return to The Children’s Urgent Care Centre (0800-2000 Monday-Sunday) or Accident and Emergency (out of hours) if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• reduced feeding or drinking

• fever for longer than five days

• drowsiness or confusion

• blood in the diarrhoea or vomit

• severe tummy (abdominal pain)

• symptoms are worsening or not settling

Further Information

If you need any more information or advice between the hours of 0800-2000 Monday-Sunday please call The Children’s Urgent Care Centre on 02073906150.

Out of hours please contact NHS 111.

Call NHS 111 if you need medical help fast, but its not life threatening- for example, if you:

• Think you need to go to hospital
• Don’t know who to call for medical help
• Don’t have a GP to call
• Need medical advice or reassurance about what to do next.

In case of emergency please call 999 or attend your local Children’s Emergency Department.