During the summer, many children suffer from gastroenteritis, a condition that causes diarrhea and an upset stomach. There are a variety of causes, including dehydration, illness, or bacterial infection. However, there are ways to prevent and treat the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastroenteritis in children are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Most cases are caused by viruses. However, bacteria can also cause it.
The symptoms of gastroenteritis in children can be severe, especially if the child is dehydrated. A child who has severe diarrhea and vomiting may require hospitalization. The gastrointestinal infection can spread to the heart valves, bones, and meninges. This can cause a complication called meningitis. This infection can be transmitted by spitting, sneezing, and touching contaminated objects.
Children who are dehydrated may show signs of vomiting, dizziness, and dry mouth. Parents can prevent dehydration by encouraging their children to drink fluids. For children who are dehydrated, doctors may prescribe a special oral rehydration solution. They may also examine the child’s pulse rate and urine color.
Viral gastroenteritis is extremely contagious. It can be passed on to others through spitting, sneezing, touching contaminated objects, and even swallowing infected feces.
There are several ways to prevent gastroenteritis in children. First, breastfeeding is a good way to keep children’s immune systems strong. It is also important to practice good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly before and after eating and changing diapers. Children should also avoid recreational activities in public water.
If the symptoms of gastroenteritis in children are mild, they usually pass on their own within a few days. If the symptoms persist for longer than a few days, a child may need treatment. This may include taking antibiotics.
Causes
Various viruses and bacteria can cause gastroenteritis in children. These infections may affect children of all ages. They can be contracted from water or food. The symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. They can be mild or severe and can last for days.
There are several ways to prevent gastroenteritis. The most effective is to wash your hands with soap and water. You should also give your child a healthy diet. You should also ensure your child gets enough fluids to replace the fluids they lose through vomiting and diarrhea. You can also give your child oral rehydration solutions from pharmacists.
Children with gastroenteritis can get dehydrated quickly. Dehydration causes the mouth and eyes to become dry, as well as the hands. You can tell if your child is dehydrated by looking at their urine and skin color. If the urine is dark and the child is losing fluids rapidly, you should take them to the doctor. The doctor may prescribe intravenous fluids to replace the fluids.
If your child is unable to drink liquid, your doctor can prescribe nausea drugs to be taken by mouth. In addition, your child may need to be admitted to the hospital to have a drip administered to help settle the stomach.
Several viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause gastroenteritis in children. The most common causes are salmonella, Campylobacter, norovirus, E. coli, and rotavirus.
Your child can also get gastroenteritis by being exposed to contaminated water or food. You should not let your child play in public water and avoid putting your child’s hands in dirty diapers. You should also wash your hands before and after changing your nappies.
Diarrhea
Almost 525 000 children die of diarrhea each year, making it the second leading cause of death in children. It’s caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria and can lead to severe dehydration.
If your child has gastroenteritis, the first thing you should do is get him or she checked out by a doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you the best way to treat the disease. Your child may need to stay home from school until his or her symptoms go away.
To keep the infection from spreading, wash your hands frequently. This is especially important after using the toilet. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands in the kitchen after handling food.
Your doctor may suggest an oral rehydration solution to help treat gastroenteritis. These solutions can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy. They may come in powder form or as a liquid. They must be prepared according to the instructions on the packet.
Your child may need to be hospitalized if he or she has extreme dehydration. Your doctor may also recommend tube feeding or an intravenous drip.
A good indicator of dehydration is documented weight loss. If your child loses 5% of his or her body weight, it’s time to take action.
You can try to prevent dehydration by giving your child small amounts of fluids frequently. You can also give your child bland foods.
Signs of dehydration
Symptoms of dehydration in children with gastroenteritis vary, depending on the individual child. They include loss of urine, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, thirst, fatigue, and lethargy. A child with severe dehydration may have a dry mouth, no tears when crying, and no urine for six hours. They may need to be hospitalized.
There are a few ways to prevent dehydration in children with gastroenteritis. These include teaching children not to swallow water, encouraging them to drink frequently, and taking a stool sample. In addition, it’s best to keep kids out of swimming pools and public water.
In addition to dehydration, gastroenteritis can cause a loss of appetite. This is because the body’s immune system is clearing the infection. It may also cause abdominal cramps. It’s also important to keep kids away from pets and reptiles, which can spread the disease.
If your child has diarrhea, the best way to prevent dehydration is to give them water. You can also try using Pedialyte, an oral rehydration solution. These products are designed to replenish the salts and minerals lost during illness. They come in various flavors.
In addition to dehydration, children with gastroenteritis may have abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually clear up within a few days. They may also have a fever. They’re also more susceptible to infections, including giardia and Salmonella.
Symptoms of dehydration in children may be difficult to detect. If you notice any signs, you should take your child to the doctor. A pediatrician can examine your child’s abdominal area and give you medical advice. They may suggest different treatments. They may also give your child medicine to help with nausea and vomiting.
Treatment
Symptoms of gastroenteritis in children include fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. In severe cases, the child may become dehydrated. If dehydration is not detected early, it may lead to acute kidney injury or hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Depending on the symptoms, the child may need to be hospitalized.
Treatment of gastroenteritis in children focuses on hydration. Often, the child is given an oral rehydration solution to help prevent dehydration. These solutions contain the right amounts of sugar, salt, and fluids.
If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, the child may receive antiemetic drugs. These drugs prevent vomiting. A doctor may also order blood tests to check for complications. In severe cases, a child may need intravenous fluids.
A pediatrician will perform a physical examination and check for hydration of the child’s skin, heart, and abdominal area. The doctor may also prescribe paracetamol to relieve the fever. The child may be given a stool test to check for bacterial or viral infection. If the stool test comes back negative, the child can be given a normal diet.
Children who suffer from long-lasting diarrhea may lose weight and become irritable. They may also have dry mouths and lethargy. They may also have no urine for six hours or more. Depending on the cause of diarrhea, the child may need to be hospitalized.
A pediatrician can help detect gastroenteritis in children based on the child’s symptoms. The doctor may also recommend certain drugs, such as antibiotics, to treat parasitic infections.
Prevention
During gastroenteritis, children may experience vomiting or diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. They may also experience abdominal pain, rumbling, and fever. The first signs of gastroenteritis should be promptly diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms may last a few days. Children are advised to rest and drink liquids to prevent dehydration. When the symptoms subside, children can gradually return to their normal diet.
Treatment may include the use of antibacterial drugs such as Enterofuril or Furazolidone. These drugs are only effective against specific bacteria. A stool test may be done to identify bacteria. The feces may also be examined to identify parasites, protozoa, or viruses.
Children with severe diarrhea should reduce their intake of lactose-containing dairy products. This will allow their body to better absorb the lactose.
Children can also be given medications to help prevent diarrhea. The drugs may be given orally or intravenously. A child’s condition should be monitored regularly to make sure that the illness is not reoccurring. If the diarrhea is more serious, the child may need to be hospitalized.
Children who have severe diarrhea should not be exposed to public water or swimming pools. They should be kept away from childcare centers until their symptoms subside.
Antibiotics may be given to combat the pathological bacteria. This is usually done under the doctor’s guidance.
Other treatment options may include enzymatic preparations and sorbents. Enzymatic preparations help support digestion processes, while sorbents remove intoxication and eliminate pathogens.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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