This means an infection of the stomach and bowel and causes acute sickness and diarrhoea in babies and children. It’s usually caused by one of a group of viruses that attack the gut called rotaviruses. Bacteria can cause infections too, through, for example, food that isn’t cooked properly or bottles that aren’t adequately sterilised.
Germs are easily spread from the bowel of someone who has the infection, usually by unwashed hands touching food or toys. That’s why these tummy bugs spread easily in nurseries and playgroups.
Most cases last a few days, although bowel movements may not return to normal for up to a week. During that time, keep your child away from other babies and children to avoid the risk of passing on the infection.
Is it serious?
The smaller the baby, the more risk of her becoming dehydrated, so young babies with sickness and diarrhoea may need nursing in hospital. How soon you consult your GP depends of the age of your baby, the severity of their symptoms and whether they have other symptoms too.
However, as sickness in babies and children can indicate the start of other more serious problems, such as meningitis or an ear infection, always see your GP if you have an instinct that something is seriously wrong or if your child’s symptoms are accompanied by:
- Drowsiness
- Floppiness
- Fever (normal temperature for a child is between 36C and 37.5C)
- Pain
Your GP may decide to send a stool sample to the lab to try to identify the cause of the infection. Antibiotics will be given if a specific bacterial infection is found. The most important thing you can do for your child in the meantime is to replace lost fluids. Medicines to stop diarrhoea are not suitable for children.
What to do
- For toddlers and older children, stop all food and drink for 24 hours and give a rehydration mixture (available in single dose sachets from your pharmacist).
- For breastfed babies, continue to breastfeed (offer little and often if reluctant to feed) and give cool, boiled water as a top up
- See your GP if you are worried that your baby or child is becoming dehydrated – signs include sunken fontanelles in babies (the soft spot on the top of the head), a dry mouth, less elastic skin, dark urine and sunken eyes. As a rough guide, don’t let a baby under four months go more than 12 hours without seeing a doctor if they aren’t taking fluids and have vomiting/diarrhoea
- Once symptoms stop, reintroduce bland food such as a piece of dry toast or a biscuit but, if the diarrhoea and vomiting return, switch back to fluids for another 24 hours. For unweaned babies, offer half strength bottlefeeds or small, frequent breastfeeds for the first 24 hours
- Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, making up feeds, eating meals and after changing nappies, wiping your child’s bottom and cleaning up vomit to avoid passing on the infection
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