Gastroenteritis is a very common disease that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Usually it is due to an error of bacterial or viral stomach.
It affects people of all ages, but is particularly common in young children.Most cases in children are caused by a virus called rotavirus. Where adults are often caused by norovirus (the "winter vomiting bug") or bacterial food poisoning.
Gastroenteritis can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away by itself within a week. You can usually take care of yourself or your child at home until you feel better.
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Gastroenteritis treatment
Symptoms of gastroenteritis
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
• sudden, watery diarrhea
• lightheadedness
• vomiting, which can be projectile
• slight fever
Some people also have other symptoms such as loss of appetite and stomach upset, pain in the limbs and headaches.
Symptoms usually appear until a day after being infected. They usually last less than a week, but sometimes can last longer.
What to do if you have gastroenteritis
If you have diarrhea and vomiting sudden, the best thing to do is stay home until you feel better. There is not always a specific treatment, so you have to let the disease run its course.
Normally, it is not necessary to obtain medical advice, unless your symptoms do not improve or there is a risk of a more serious problem (see when to get medical advice).
To help ease your symptoms:
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration-You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup.
• Take paracetamol for fever or aches and pains.
• Get enough rest.
• If you feel like eating, try small amounts of simple, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread foods.
• Use special rehydration drinks made of bags purchased at pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth or dark urine - read about the treatment of dehydration.
• Take medicines against vomiting (such as metoclopramide) and / or antidiarrheal medication (eg, loperamide) if necessary - some types are available in pharmacies, but check the booklet that comes with the medicine. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor about whether they are appropriate.
Gastroenteritis can spread very easily, so you should wash your hands regularly while you are sick and stay away from work or school until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have disappeared, to reduce the risk of transmitting (see Prevention of gastroenteritis).
When to get medical advice
Usually you do not need to see your doctor if you think you have gastroenteritis, as it should improve by itself.Consult a doctor if:
• have symptoms of severe dehydration, as persistentdizziness only pass small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or is losing consciousness
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• you are constantly vomiting and can not keep liquids
• Have a fever over 38 ° C (100.4 ° F)
• no symptoms have begun to improve after a few days
• in recent weeks after returning from a part of the world with poor sanitation
• If you have a serious underlying condition, such as kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease or a weakened immune system, and have diarrhea and vomiting
Your doctor may suggest sending a sample of their poop to a laboratory to check what the cause of your symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if it shows that you have a bacterial infection.
Caring for a child with gastroenteritis
You can care for your child at home if they have diarrhea and vomiting. There usually is no specific treatment and your child should start feeling better in a few days.
Normally you do not need to get medical advice unless your symptoms do not improve or there is a risk of a more serious problem (see Getting medical help for your child).
To help relieve your child's symptoms:
• Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. They need to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. Water is generally better. Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juices, as they may make your diarrhea worse. Babies should continue feeding as usual, either breast milk or other dairy foods.
• Make sure they get plenty of rest.
• Let your child eat if they are eating solids and feel hungry. Try small amounts of simple, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread foods.• Give them paracetamol uncomfortable if they have a fever or aches and pains. Young children may find easier to swallow than liquid paracetamol tablets
