Gastrointestinal infection: all about vomiting diarrhea in children
Almost every child is familiar with diarrhea or even diarrhea with vomiting. The annoying gastrointestinal infection in children is usually over quickly. But especially with infants and small children, it is advisable to call or visit a pediatrician at an early stage.
Vomiting diarrhea as a symptom of the gastrointestinal infection
The gastrointestinal infection likes to come without warning, sometimes plaguing entire kindergarten groups or the majority of a school class: diarrhea with vomiting is an annoying nuisance and not uncommon in children. The younger a child, the more sensitive it is to infection with viruses or bacteria that affect the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms: thin, watery, foul-smelling stool – usually several times a day. If the child does not show any other symptoms, it may not have tolerated a certain food or simply ate too much fruit. Sometimes diarrhea is also a side effect of respiratory diseases, middle ear infections or the eruption of milk teeth.
The triggers of the gastrointestinal infection
If the little patients suffer from vomiting and/or diarrhea and also fever, a gastrointestinal infection is very likely. In most cases, viruses are to blame, less often bacteria. Rota and noroviruses are responsible for more than three-quarters of all diarrheal diarrheal diseases in children up to four years of age, and they are particularly talked about in the cold season. They are passed from patient to patient through “smear infections”, i.e. through direct contact. They also lurk on doorknobs in kindergarten, on toys or in the school gym. Diarrhea bacteria, on the other hand, thrive in spoiled and improperly prepared food. Salmonella and Campylobacter bacilli are particularly feared .
In the case of a gastrointestinal infection, a long bed rest is therefore recommended. Because even if the symptoms subside or have subsided, there is still a (slight) risk of infection .
Protect against drying out in the event of a gastrointestinal infection
So that the state of health does not deteriorate, the little patients should be repeatedly offered liquids for the next six to eight hours. This is important to prevent the body from dehydrating. Thin black tea, fennel or chamomile tea have proven to be effective for mild cases, i.e. children who do not appear noticeably ill. Best in small sips so as not to provoke vomiting.
If a child suffers from vomiting and diarrhea, it not only loses water but also important minerals such as sodium and potassium. Doctors therefore recommend adding a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of dextrose to every cup of tea. For infants and young children, however, it is always better to see a pediatrician. He can prescribe so-called electrolyte solutions for vomiting diarrhea.
If the child feels an appetite again, grated apple, bananas, rice or mashed potatoes are well tolerated. However, the stomach and intestines should still be spared from flatulent, greasy or difficult-to-digest food.
You can read here which home remedies help with a gastrointestinal infection .
Symptoms of dehydration
Most cases of vomiting diarrhea are over after a day. However, if the symptoms last longer, the child’s body can dry out very quickly. Especially when the focus in young patients is on vomiting, high fever and a refusal to drink. The younger a child is, the more severe the loss of fluids and minerals will be.
Warning signs of life-threatening dehydration are:
- The child is crying almost without tears, his mouth is dry.
- If you pull up a skin fold on your stomach with two fingers, the skin fold stays in place when you let go.
- In babies, the fontanel sinks.
- The child appears sleepy and does not respond properly when spoken to.
- He has a high fever and passes little urine.
Important contact person for gastrointestinal infections: the pediatrician
The younger a child is, the more dangerous diarrhea with vomiting is. In order to prevent a life-threatening situation, it is better to call or visit a pediatrician sooner than too late if
- a baby for six hours
- a toddler for twelve hours
- a school child has been vomiting and/or diarrhea for 18 hours.
The therapy depends on the age of the child and whether diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting. Children who vomit uncontrollably and are severely dehydrated are given fluids via infusions. If the child is still drinking, it gets electrolyte solutions that are optimally enriched with probiotic bacteria.
Prevent gastrointestinal infections with hygiene
Comprehensive hygiene prevents the entire family from becoming infected. That means washing your hands often and thoroughly. Wipe the toilet, light switch and door handles regularly and carefully.
Poultry, ice cream, cream, mayonnaise and desserts prepared with raw eggs (eg tiramisu) are contaminated with salmonella. Especially in summer, when there is insufficient cooling, the pathogenic germs multiply quickly. And: Always wash salads and fruit well, as they also transmit unwanted germs.