Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Family Medicine/ Endocrinology/Diabetes
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines; it causes diarrhoea, and can also cause vomiting and other symptoms, in some cases. This infection frequently occurs in babies and children.
While the infection is usually mild, it can cause dehydration or a loss of necessary fluids and minerals from the body, which may require medical attention.
CAUSES
Gastroenteritis may be the result of a bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic organism. A child may encounter these germs through people with an infection, or through contaminated food or water.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The primary symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhoea. In addition to frequent, loose and watery stool, a child may experience:
* Abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Fever
In some cases, a child may experience other symptoms such as nausea, body aches, and a headache.
Symptoms in infants
Infants with gastroenteritis will have symptoms that are similar to those of older children, including loose, watery stools. While the infant is sick, parents or caregivers should ensure that the infant stays hydrated by:
* Feeding the infant regularly with breast milk or formula
* Supplementing with Pedialyte, coconut water, and clean water
* Providing smaller quantities for feedings
Duration
Gastroenteritis typically lasts between 1–3 days. A parent or caregiver should contact the child’s doctor if the symptoms persist for longer than this.
Bacterial vs viral gastroenteritis
Bacterial and viral gastroenteritis are very similar conditions with similar symptoms, including:
* Diarrhoea
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Fever
The main difference is what causes them. In most cases, neither condition would require medical treatment from a doctor. Instead, a child would typically recover at home, with a few days of rest and plenty of fluids.
HOME REMEDIES FOR GASTROENTERITIS
A child typically requires no medical treatment for this infection, provided that enough fluids are consumed. One of the most important steps to home treatment is to make sure that the child keeps drinking fluids that contain electrolytes. Some drinks that may help include:
* Broths
* Fruit juices
* Coconut water
* Sports drinks – Gatorade, Powerade, Body Armor, Vitamin Water
* Clean water
Sugary juices and sports drinks may worsen diarrhoea, so choose options that are low in sugar.
A child may lose their appetite while they are sick. When it returns, they can resume their usual diet. This would not affect their recovery.
WHEN TO CONTACT A DOCTOR
A parent or guardian may not need to take their child to the doctor when that child is suffering from gastroenteritis. If the child can get enough fluids, shows no sign of dehydration, and the illness clears within a few days, the child would likely make a full recovery at home.
Parents should take their child to a doctor if the symptoms last longer than a few days, or the child experiences any of the following symptoms:
* Dark, tarry stools
* Blood in the stools
* Excessive thirst
* No longer urinating, or producing only a small amount of urine.
* Dizziness
* Rapid or irregular heartbeat
* Quickened breathing
* Sunken eyes
* Lack of alertness
MEDICAL TREATMENT
In most cases, a child would recover from gastroenteritis within a few days without medical treatment. It is important for a parent or guardian to make sure the child stays hydrated and replaces lost electrolytes while they are sick. A doctor can determine if any treatment is necessary, and provide recommendations to help with rehydration. Do not give antidiarrhoeal medications to children.
In most cases, a doctor can diagnose gastroenteritis based on the child’s symptoms.
The doctor would also perform a physical examination. The exam would typically include:
* Taking their blood pressure
* Checking the abdomen for pain or tenderness
* Listening to the abdomen
* Looking for signs of dehydration or fever.
In some cases, a doctor may examine the child’s rectum to look for signs of blood in their stool. The rectal exam involves the doctor inserting a gloved finger into the rectum. They may also collect, or have a parent or caregiver collect, a stool sample for examination.
DANGERS
Any time a child experiences diarrhoea, vomiting, or a combination of both symptoms, they risk dehydration. In addition to potential death, dehydration can cause complications, such as organ damage, coma, and shock.
A child may also develop other long-term conditions following the infection, such as postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome or a microbiome imbalance. These can cause digestive symptoms that persist after the infection is gone.
PREVENTION
People can take several steps to help prevent gastroenteritis. Parents and caregivers can make sure to regularly disinfect surfaces that come in contact with stool or vomit.
In addition, children and adults should take actions that include:
* Avoiding contact with someone who has gastroenteritis.
* Washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or coming in contact with bodily fluids
* Washing hands after touching raw food
Parents and caregivers should also arrange for infants under 8 months old to receive the rotavirus vaccine. This vaccine can reduce the risk of a child developing gastroenteritis due to rotavirus. People can discuss this vaccine with their paediatrician.
