CONDITIONS
Gastroenteritis
What is gastroenteritis?
Increased bowel movements or stool frequency is what characterises gastroenteritis. Runny stools, at least three within 24 hours, are accompanied by symptoms of abdominal pain, no appetite and vomiting.
What are the causes?
Viruses, bacteria and parasites are foreign particles that cause acute gastroenteritis in children. The symptoms of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are similar, but the route of transmission differs. Viral gastroenteritis is transmitted via the faecal-oral route (from the fingers to the mouth). Bacterial gastroenteritis spreads from infected, undercooked food and unwashed fruit to the mouth. Typically, children develop diarrhoea due to Adenovirus, Rotavirus, Norovirus, Astrovirus, and bacteria, including E.Coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
How do children get gastroenteritis?
- By eating contaminated, unwashed vegetables or fruits
- Eating uncooked eggs or meat
- Stroking pets and eating without washing hands
- Drinking contaminated water or unpasteurised milk
- Exposure to other infected people
What are the symptoms?
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Nauseous
- No appetite
- Stomach pain or cramps
- High fever
What does a diagnosis entail?
Dehydration is one of the main, severe symptoms of gastroenteritis. Dehydration causes the body to lose essential fluid and nutrients. To prevent dehydration, ensure your child receives plenty of fluids. Diagnostic tests aren’t necessary because signs of gastroenteritis are evident in symptoms of diarrhoea, runny stools and dehydration.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis don't last long, but when they do and prolong for 48 hours, your child needs to undergo a stool test to trace bacteria, parasites, viruses and white blood cells evident in it.
How do you treat gastroenteritis?
Treatment for gastroenteritis aims to replace electrolyte and fluid loss. An oral rehydration solution that contains salts and sterile water replace fluids lost from vomiting. Water, milk and juice are suitable alternatives for older children. Zinc supplementation is also recommended. Fluid therapy is essential and should not stop even when breastfeeding infants. Immediate hospitalisation is necessary if the child cannot tolerate fluids.
Bacterial (gastroenteritis), especially when there are traces of blood in the stool, is treated with prescription antibiotics. Viral gastroenteritis doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment but instead requires management through the regular intake of fluid and oral rehydration solutions.
Increasing your child’s potassium intake and taking over-the-counter drugs prescribed by your doctor neutralises acidity in your child’s stomach.
What is the result?
Acute gastroenteritis isn’t a long-term condition and lasts seven days at most. Should your child experience symptoms after a week of being infected, he or she will need to be hospitalised to prevent dehydration.
What does prevention for gastroenteritis entail?
Prevention, in this case, is better than cure.
Practice the following to reduce the chances of infection:
- Wash hands regularly
- Drink boiled, sterilised water instead of tap water
- Vaccinate children to prevent rotavirus
Takeaway
Gastroenteritis causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines due to a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. Symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever. Oral rehydration solutions replace fluid lost from vomiting and restore the balance of water and electrolytes. Water, milk and juice work just as well in older children who become dehydrated after vomiting. Children who cannot tolerate water or oral rehydration solutions must be rushed to the hospital immediately, where they will be fed fluids through an intravenous drip.
Disclaimer
This information is for educative purposes only and is meant to be read by parents after their child has seen their medical practitioner.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Behaviour purely focused on themselves, oblivious to their surroundings and the needs of their classmates.
Cannot focus
Cannot play alone quietly
Incomplete homework/assignments
Emotional problems
Turbulent behaviour
For these warning signs, seek urgent medical attention.
DO NOT DELAY CARE
PRACTICE INFO
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What is a paediatrician?
A paediatrician is a doctor who has specialised in medical care for children from birth to their teenage years. Paediatricians diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions in children, ranging from allergies, infections and injuries to behavioural and learning problems.