What is Gastroenteritis?
Key Facts
- Gastroenteritis (‘gastro’) is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Other symptoms include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, fever, body aches, and lethargy
- It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, medication or chemicals
- Babies under 6 months should always be seen by a doctor if they have gastro
- Children should not return to school and adults should not return to work until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting
Treatment
- Good old-fashioned handwashing with soap and water is still the best defence against spreading the bug
- Reduce your risk of catching or spreading gastro by washing your hands well after using the bathroom, changing nappies, or handling food
- Gastroenteritis is treated by drinking fluids and doesn’t usually require medication.
- Electrolyte replacement is essential to prevent dehydration. Examples include:
- Hydralyte comes in forms suitable for all age groups:
- Powder sachets
- Effervescent tablets
- Ice blocks
- Hydralyte comes in forms suitable for all age groups:
- Antibiotics are only suitable if the cause is bacterial. This is diagnosed by a doctor
- If a fever is present, paracetamol is the preferred treatment to reduce the symptoms
- Gastroenteritis symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 days, but occasionally may persist for as long as 10 days
- Adults and older children should seek medical advice if their symptoms include a fever, severe abdominal pain, blood in their diarrhea, or signs of dehydration, such as thirst and decreased urination, lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes, or feeling faint when standing.
Prevention
- Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe gastroenteritis in babies and young children. All young children can receive the rotavirus vaccine at 6 weeks and 4 months of age. (A third dose at 6 months may be needed depending on the brand of vaccine used)
- This vaccine is effective in preventing rotavirus infection in about 7 out of every 10 children vaccinated. It also prevents severe gastroenteritis in about 9 out of every 10 vaccinated infants. The vaccine provides protection for up to 5
