What is it?

-        Can cause diarrhoea (frequent, watery stools) and sometimes vomiting.

-        Usually caused by a virus, most commonly the rotavirus.

-        Most children get better without medicine in a few days but soft stools may persist for a week or more.

-        It is spread mostly by droplet infection (like the cold) or putting dirty hands, toys, bottles or other objects around the mouth.

 

Signs and Symptoms:

-        Loose frequent stools and sometimes vomiting

-        Cramping abdominal pain. Occasionally fever.

 

What to do:

-        Babies: Continue breastfeeding, replacing each stool with an extra feed, or if formula fed, give smaller amounts, slowly

-        Child:  Older child may continue regular diet but increase fluids.

-        Replace stool lost with an equal volume of fluids – juice, coconut water. If diarrhoea excessive, use oral rehydration fluids to replace salts lost in diarrhoea.

-        Drinks can be put in the freezer to make them slushy and then sip or eat with a spoon.

-        If there is vomiting, give fluids slowly, a few tsps at a time every 10 mins. If that is tolerated, increase fluids. Light diet such as crackers or light soups, crix, jam, applesauce, banana, watermelon.

 

Stay away from:

-        Milk drinks as these may not be well digested at this time.

-        Fatty foods and high sugar drinks as these may make the diarrhoea worse.

 

Medical treatment:

-        Antidiarrhoeals or antiemetics are not used as the virus needs to work itself out of the body

-        Antibiotics are not usually used.

 

Be concerned if:

-        Your child is younger than 6 mths old or has a high fever.

-        Has severe or prolonged diarrhoea, or has diarrhoea that contains blood or mucous

-        Vomits repeatedly and refuses to drink fluids.

-        Is urinating less than usual or has no tears when crying – Signs of dehydration

 

Think Prevention:

-        Breastfeeding is preventative.

-        Use proper hand washing techniques at all times.

-        Clean bottles and pacifiers well.