If your baby is less than 6 months old and has vomiting or diarrhoea you should see a doctor urgently. Babies can become dehydrated quickly.
Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection which causes diarrhoea (runny, watery poo) and sometimes vomiting.
A virus usually causes gastro. Common viruses are rotavirus and adenovirus but there are many others. Because there are many viruses that cause it, your child can get gastro more than once.
Infants younger than 15 weeks of age can have rotavirus immunisation free of charge. This protects against one of the most common causes of gastro.
Check information about rotavirus immunisation [1]
Sometimes bacteria can cause gastro but this is much less common. This can cause blood in the poo.
A child can catch the virus when they:
The virus is easily spread in homes, daycare, kindergartens and schools.
The vomiting may settle quickly but the diarrhoea often lasts for up to 10 days. This doesn't matter as long as your child is drinking well and seems to be improving.
Gastro affects all age groups, but is more common, and can be worse, in babies and young children.
The most common symptoms are:
Sometimes a child with gastro will also have:
If your child is over 6 months old and has mild gastro and is not dehydrated, you can care for them at home. The main treatment is to keep giving your child fluids. Whichever fluids your child is having, the important thing is to:
You may also give your child the following drinks as long as they are not dehydrated. You need to dilute the drinks with water as they contain too much sugar (which can make the diarrhoea worse).
Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend electrolyte solutions such as Gastrolyte or Pedialyte if your child is dehydrated. You can buy these from your pharmacist - follow the instructions on the packet.
Do not give infants or children with diarrhoea:
Do not give your child fatty or sugary foods such as:
Do not give your child medicines to reduce diarrhoea. They do not work and may be harmful.
Your doctor may occasionally prescribe a medicine for vomiting. Follow your doctor's instructions.
You cannot treat viral gastro with antibiotics. The body will clear out the virus on its own without treatment.
Diarrhoea can cause a rash. After each bowel motion wash and dry your child's bottom well and then put on a protective cream or ointment (such as zinc and castor oil cream or Vaseline).
Watch for signs of dehydration - the younger the child, the easier it is for them to become dehydrated.
Dehydration is the loss of fluid, due to vomiting and diarrhoea. The younger the child, the easier it is for them to become dehydrated.
Watch for signs of dehydration:
If your child has any of these signs, you need to take them to see a doctor urgently.
You should see your doctor or after hours medical centre urgently if:
You should see your doctor if:
Dial 111 within New Zealand for urgent medical help (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) if you are very concerned about your child.
Gastro spreads very easily to others. There are ways to help prevent spreading the disease.
Handwashing is especially important after going to the toilet, after nappy changing and before handling food. Encourage your child to wash and dry their hands after using the toilet.
It is a good idea to thoroughly clean your toilet and bathroom areas.
Wash your child's dirty clothing, in hot water preferably, and rinse separately from the rest of the family laundry.
Make sure your child doesn't share food or drinks with anyone else.
Keep your child away from friends and other children until vomiting and diarrhoea have stopped. Children with diarrhoea must stay away from daycare, kindergarten and school until there has been no diarrhoea for 48 hours.
This page last reviewed 09 March 2021.
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Links
[1] https://kidshealth.org.nz/rotavirus-immunisation
[2] https://kidshealth.org.nz/node/1863?language=mi
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/node/1864?language=mi
[4] https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/campylobacter
[5] https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/cryptosporidium
[6] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F174%3Flanguage%3Dmi