Hopefully we're through the worst of the gastroenteritis season – a time that often results in many infants and young children being hospitalised from complications associated with the illness – most notably the critical effects of dehydration.
Gastroenteritis (gastro) is a common illness caused mostly by viruses. Viral gastroenteritis is more common in winter but bacteria and food poisoning can also cause gastro.
Medicines are usually not necessary or helpful in treating gastro. Sometimes vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and loss of appetite can make a child lose more fluid than they can keep down. This may lead to dehydration, which needs to be treated immediately.
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The more diarrhoea and vomiting there is, the more clear fluid a child needs to drink more frequently. Just water won't do.
Clear fluids include oral electrolyte solutions (Gastrolyte TM , Gastrolyte-R TM , Repalyte TM and Hydralyte TM ) specially designed to replace fluids and body salts lost in gastroenteritis. They are available from chemists and are generally the best early treatment for gastroenteritis.
If a child refuses to drink the electrolyte solution, a mixture of one cup of flat lemonade or fruit juice with four cups of tap water may help.
The fluids will not stop the vomiting and diarrhoea, but should stop the child from becoming dehydrated. But remember, full strength fruit juice or fizzy drinks such as lemonade, cordial or Lucozade may actually increase diarrhoea and dehydration.
It's important to remember that babies can become dehydrated very quickly with gastro. Any baby less than six months old who has gastro should be taken to a doctor immediately.
For telephone advice in the Hunter, call:
Kids Kare Line (02) 4921 2800
2.45pm to 10.45pm daily
After Hours GP Advice Line
1300 130 147
6pm – 8am Mon-Friday
1pm Sat – 8am next business day
