gastroenteritis

What is gastroenteritis and how should it be treated? One hears so many different opinions.

Gastroenteritis (often called “gastro”) occurs most commonly in the late winter to early summer, although it can occur at any time of the year. It is an infection of the gut but in a previously well child antibiotics will NOT

PRODUCE A QUICKER CURE THAN NATURE.

The major symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting (D&V). Often the vomiting comes before the diarrhoea by a day or so. There may be some minor tummy discomfort but severe pain makes another cause for the D&V likely. However, by far the commonest cause for D&V is gastroenteritis.

The greatest danger of gastroenteritis is fluid loss leading to dehydration. The child becoming quiet and lethargic suggests that this has happened. This or refusal to drink mean medical attention should be sought urgently.

Parents by administering large amounts of clear fluids can prevent the dehydration in many cases. Food or milky drinks may make the dehydration worse and should not be given. The doctor or pharmacist may recommend and electrolyte mixture that contains easily absorbed sugar and minerals. These will rapidly travel into the body (be absorbed) with the water. This will prevent the onset of dehydration in most cases. The electrolyte mixture is dissolved in a stipulated amount of water and it is most important that these instructions be followed exactly.

Often before dehydration the child may complain that the mixture tastes too salty in which case more water can be added or clear lemonade (&-up etc) can be used instead.

Although al formula and other milky drinks should be avoided, breast-feeding should continue. Breast milk is rapidly absorbed and does not make dehydration worse. It also contains a number of agents for fighting the infection causing the gastro (see a previous answer about breast-feeding), leading to quicker recovery.

If dehydration is significant the child will be admitted to hospital and fluid given by intravenous drip or by naso-gastric tube depending on the severity of the dehydration, age of the child and other factors. A naso-gastric tube is a plastic tube passed through the nose down into the stomach.

Most of the bacteria and viruses that cause gastroenteritis are highly infectious. Hand-washing after contact a gastro sufferer is the best defence against infecting someone else including family members.