Gastroenteritis

What is gastroenteritis?

Common causes are infection with a stomach bug, food poisoning. Common symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

What should I do if I have gastroenteritis?

Please see your healthcare provider.

Self-care?

Self-care is for mild symptoms only. Please see your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen.

Things you should do.

Stay at home and get plenty of rest,

Drink lots of fluids, water, squash. Take small sips you feels sick.

Continue breast-feeding, bottle feeding the baby. Try frequent small feeds.

Continue formula or solid foods, with small sips of water between feeds.

Start eating when you feel you're able to.

Use as needed Tylenol.

Do NOT do the following:

Do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks.

Do not make baby formula beaker.

Do not give medicines to stop diarrhea for children under 12 years.

What other things I should do at home?

Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.

Wash any clothing, bedding that is contaminated with vomit or diarrhea. Wash it separately with disinfectant detergent on hot wash setting.

Clean toilet seats, flush handles, faucets, doorknobs or any surfaces that are contaminated with bleach.

Do not prepare food for other people.

Do not share towels, cutlery, utensils, washcloth.

Do not use swimming for for 2 weeks after your symptoms have stopped.

When should I go to the emergency room?

A child under five years, with signs of dehydration. Fewer wet diapers or Not urinating as frequently.

When you're extremely sick and unable to keep any fluids down and dehydrated.

If you have blood in the diarrhea, or bleeding from the anus.

Vomiting blood, or if the vomit has coffee grounds appearance (Brown chunks)

Bright green or yellow vomit.

If you have swallowed poison 

High grade fever.

If you have certain headache, stomach ache, stiff neck. 

Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any worrisome symptoms.