What is gastroenteritis?

It's an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus or bacteria. Gastroenteritis usually starts with vomiting, low-grade fever, stomach fullness and painful bloating. Sometimes there might be symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.

Acute gastroenteritis is spread by contact with infected stool. Therefore, hand washing is very important to keep it from spreading. Wash your hands after every diaper change, after using the bathroom, and before eating or cooking.

What is dehydration?

When you vomit or have diarrhea, you lose fluids (water) and important electrolytes (salts). Your doctor will determine how dehydrated your child is by evaluating his weight loss, laboratory studies, and general appearance.

How is it treated?

At first, your child will get special fluids through an IV (intravenously) to replace the fluids and electrolytes he's lost. Depending on laboratory results, these fluids may be changed several times.

Your child may not be allowed to eat or drink anything for several hours so her stomach and intestines have time to rest. We'll need an accurate record of intake (food and drinks) and output (urine, stool and vomit) to monitor his progress. Please save all urine, stool, and vomit for your nurse to check. After your child begins eating and drinking, keep track of how much she eats and drinks so you can tell the nurse.

A nurse may collect stool specimens to find out what caused the infection.

As your child improves, he'll begin a diet of clear liquids (anything you can see through). First she'll have a special balanced fluid such as Pedialyte, Ricelyte, or Gatorade. If he does well with these fluids, he can have water, ginger ale, tea, or gelatin. If your child does well with these (24 hours without vomiting or diarrhea) she can begin eating foods like toast, applesauce, rice, and bananas. As your child improves, his diet may go back to normal. As your child's eats and drinks more, we'll decrease her IV, and then stop it.

When should I call the doctor?

After your child goes home from the hospital, call the doctor if your child develops the following symptoms:

• Fever higher than 101° F
• Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea (runny stools)
• Refusing to drink fluids such as Pedialyte, Ricelyte, and Gatorade
• Not making urine at least six times a day