Parents and guardians
Viral Gastroenteritis: A Guide for Parents
What is it?
Viral gastroenteritis, often referred to as a stomach bug, is an infection of the intestines caused by various viruses, such as norovirus, rotavirus, or adenovirus. It is highly contagious and can spread easily. Viral gastroenteritis is a common illness, particularly in children.
What symptoms do you get?
The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually include sudden onset of diarrhoea, which may be watery or contain mucus, as well as vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, and sometimes fever. The usual duration of diarrhoea is 5-7 days and in most children it stops within 2 weeks. The usual duration of vomiting is 1-2 days and in most children it stops within 3 days.
How is it diagnosed?
Viral gastroenteritis is typically diagnosed based on the child’s symptoms and a physical examination by a healthcare professional. In most cases, specific tests to identify the virus causing the infection are not necessary, as the illness is usually self-limiting and resolves on its own without specific treatment. However, in severe cases or if complications are suspected, your healthcare provider may recommend stool tests or other diagnostic tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for viral gastroenteritis focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing dehydration. ‘It’s essential to keep your child well-hydrated by offering frequent sips of sugary fluids, avoiding fizzy drinks. You can also consider oral rehydration solutions, such as dioralyte, which is available in supermarkets and chemists. You can also offer bland, easy-to-digest foods such as crackers, rice, bananas, and toast as tolerated. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend anti-nausea medications, but these are typically reserved for more severe cases or for children at higher risk of dehydration. To help prevent the spread, wash your hands with soap and water regularly, especially after going to the toilet, changing a nappy or before touching food. Your child should stay off nursery/school until 48 hours after vomiting and diarrhoea.
Remember, viral gastroenteritis is usually a self-limiting illness that resolves on its own within a few days to a week with proper care and hydration. However, it’s important to monitor your child closely for signs of dehydration, such as decreased urine output, dry mouth, or lethargy, and seek medical advice if you have any concerns.
Use this quick guide to know what signs to look out for in your child.
Reassuring (Green)
- Normal skin colour
- Content or smiling, responds normally, wakes quickly, and has a normal cry
- Normal feeding, normal wet nappies
Some concerning features, get your child reviewed by a medical professional (Amber)
- Pale
- Not responding normally, not smiling, wakes only with prolonged stimulation
- Flaring nostrils, breathing more than 50 times in a minute, aged 6-12 months or more than 40 times in a minute over 12 months
- Dry lips and tongue, reduced feeding, fewer wet nappies
- Temperature higher than 39 at 3-6 months old, or fever for 5 or more days at any age
- Swollen limb or joint, not using the limb as they usually would, i.e. not walking
Seek urgent medical review (Red)
- Pale, Mottled or Blue
- Not responsive, looks unwell, doesn’t wake with stimulation
- Weak or high-pitched, continuous cry
- Grunting, breathing more than 60 times in a minute at any age, sucking in between or under the ribs with breathing
- Not feeding, no wet nappies
- Temperature higher than 38 degrees under 3 months of age
- Rash that doesn’t disappear with the glass test
