Diarrhoea and Vomiting

What causes diarrhoea and vomiting?

• Diarrhoea and vomiting (D and V) can be caused by either a bacteria or a virus, which affects the lining of the gut.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Unable to tolerate any solid foods or fluids.
• Frequency of passing stools that may be fluid, slimy and unusual in colour.
• A raised temperature, cold hands and feet.
• Feeling sick/nauseated.
• Back ache/tummy ache. The pain may be sharp, occurring before each bout of diarrhoea.
• Listless and disinterested.
• Pale.

What you should do

• Give any clear fluid the child will take in small and frequent quantities. A breast fed baby should continue to be offered breast milk. If the doctor has prescribed a fluid such as Dioralyte, follow the instructions for making it up.
• Whatever the cause of your child’s D and V, you must keep giving fluids. This can be difficult if the child is refusing, or is still being sick, but do carry on even it is only a mouthful at a time, as some of the fluid will be absorbed.
Dioralyte is often tolerated when other fluids are not, and can be obtained without prescription. Dioralyte is preferred, but other fluids, should be offered if it is not available or tolerated. If the child is under one year, try water or baby juices; if your child is older, try water, blackcurrant, still orange, iced lollies or flat coke.
• If the child asks for food, give something light, such as toast or cereal.
• If the infant/child has a raised temperature or sharp pains, paracetamol can be given regularly (at the dose and frequency stated on the bottle or by the doctor.)
• If your child will not take the fluid, continues to be sick and becomes more listless, contact your doctor straight away.
• It may take up to ten days or longer to settle down and as long as the infant/child is not getting worse, there is no need to worry.
• Most children with D and V don’t need antibiotics or other medicines.

How to prevent this happening?

To prevent D and V in the future and prevent spread to other family members and friends.

• Ensure that the hands are washed after using the toilet and before preparing food. For all babies under one year, bottles, teats, cups and bowls, etc. should be washed and sterilised.
• Ensure all food is used by the sell by date, heat food thoroughly, store all food at the recommended temperature, and keep covered.
• The child should not attend school or playgroup until 48 hours after the last watery stool or vomit.

Follow up

• You may be asked to contact the ward for results of any specimens taken.