Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers
Vomiting and Diarrhea (Diarrhea and Acute Gastroenteritis)
Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: October 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002
Common Questions
* What is diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis?
* What causes vomiting and diarrhea?
* Are vomiting and diarrhea contagious?
* How are vomiting treated and diarrhea treated?
* When should I call the doctor?
Quick Answers
* Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of many illnesses.
* Vomiting and diarrhea are not contagious.
* If your child is vomiting, stop all food and liquids.
After 30 minutes of not vomiting, begin to add food
and liquids slowly as he is able to keep them down.
* Feed your child a bland diet if he has diarrhea.
* Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration.
Dehydration can be treated with an ORS.
* Call the doctor if vomiting, diarrhea, or aches and
pains do not get better within reasonable time. Go to
the emergency room if your child is very dehydrated.
What is diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis?
* Diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis is when your child
has a case of vomiting and diarrhea.
* The symptoms do not last for over 8-12 hours.
What causes vomiting and diarrhea?
* Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of many
illnesses.
* Vomiting is usually caused by a virus or from eating
food that doesn't sit well in the stomach.
* Your child may have vomiting and diarrhea at the same
time or just one at a time.
* Some infants "spit up" after eating or burping. This
is not vomiting.
Are vomiting and diarrhea contagious?
* Sometimes. Vomiting and diarrhea may be contagious,
depending on the illness that causes them.
How are vomiting and diarrhea treated?
Controlling your child's intake of food and liquid can help
stop his vomiting and diarrhea.
Vomiting
Most vomiting will stop within about 8-12 hours with the
right care. Some doctors recommend using an oral
rehydration solution (ORS) as described below. Other
doctors recommend taking the following steps:
* Stop formula and breast feedings. Stop all liquids
and solid foods in older children.
* Give frequent, small amounts of fluids. Give your
child 1 ounce of clear liquids every hour. Have
your child take small sips.
* Do not use plain water. Special clear liquids
called oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are best.
* Some doctors say that children over 2 years old
can have Gatorade, soda, clear soups, tea, Jell-o,
and Popsicles. Ask your doctor.
* Do not give your child diet soda, sugar-free
drinks, or caffeine.
* If your child doesn't vomit after 8-12 hours, add
solid foods. For infants, try rice cereal with
water or Pedialyte. For toddlers, try dry cereal,
dry crackers, or dry toast.
* If your infant doesn't vomit after 12 to 24 hours,
start breastfeeding or begin giving formula. Some
doctors recommend giving half-strength formula for
12 hours, then full-strength after 12 hours.
Ask your doctor.
* Add food and liquids slowly as your child is able
to keep them down.
Diarrhea
* If there is diarrhea but no vomiting, it's usually
okay to give your child milk.
* Feed your child a "B-R-A-T" diet for 1 or 2 days.
It is made of bananas, rice (cooked white rice,
rice cereal, rice cakes), applesauce, and tea or
dry toast (no butter or jelly).
* Keep your child's diet bland until diarrhea is
better. Plain pasta, baked chicken, boiled
potatoes, cooked vegetables, and soups are good.
* Avoid spicy and fried food.
* If diarrhea doesn't get better, limit high-sugar
foods like Kool-Aid and apple juice.
* Do not use over-the-counter medications until you
have checked with the doctor.
Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
* Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration (loss
of fluid in the body).
* Your child should drink fluids if he has had
vomiting and diarrhea. Drinking in small, frequent
sips is best.
* Your child might need an ORS (such as Pedialyte or
Ricelyte) to help replace body fluids.
* Call the doctor to find out which ORS to use.
* Give your child the ORS in a dropper, spoon, or
cup.
* If your child has diarrhea but no vomiting, don't
limit how much ORS he drinks.
* The doctor can tell you the smallest amount of ORS
that is okay to give your child.
* Wait 30-60 minutes after your child has last
vomited to begin giving him the ORS. Give the ORS
in small amounts and often (1 teaspoon a minute).
Increase the amount slowly, as your child is able
to keep it down.
* You can breastfeed and give formula while using
the ORS.
When should I call the doctor?
If you have questions or concerns about your child's
condition, call the doctor. If your child is very dehydrated,
he needs immediate attention.
Call the doctor if...
* your child is under 6 months old and has a
temperature above 104 degrees F (or 40 degrees C).
* your child is under 2 years old and has vomiting
or diarrhea.
* stomach pain is not better in 2 hours, vomiting is
not better in 12 hours, or diarrhea isn't better
after 3 days.
* your child's mouth is dry, he is bloated, or he
won't take liquids.
* there is blood in the vomit or diarrhea or bile
(yellow-green liquid) in the vomit.
* your child has pain with urination, a bad headache,
neck pain, or a strange rash.
* your child is unable to take the medicine he needs.
Go to the emergency room if...
* your child is very thirsty.
* your child doesn't urinate in 8-12 hours or if
your infant doesn't urinate in 4-6 hours.
* urine is very dark.
* your child is sleeping a lot or has very little
energy.
* there are no tears when your child cries.
References
* American Academy of Family Physicians, "Vomiting and
Diarrhea in Children," (Virtual Children's Hospital)
1995.
URL: http://tinyurl.com/4zl87
* The Children's Hospital, Boston, "Children with
Vomiting and Diarrhea," (Virtual Children's Hospital)
1994.
URL: http://tinyurl.com/3kl68
* The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, "Vomiting,"
1996-2001.
URL: http://tinyurl.com/695rb
------------------------------------------------------------
This information is written primarily for patients.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/45swl
See Also:
* Google Search Result : http://tinyurl.com/6ke8a
Rgds.,
Erik
--[ Safe E-mail ]-------------------------------------------
Don't reply to e-mail asking for personal information. Don't
buy anything from a spam mail. Never contribute to a charity
from spam mail. Think twice before opening attachments, even
if you know the sender. Don't forward chain e-mail messages.
------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DUKUNG situs Balita-Anda.Com sebagai Situs Terbaik Wanita & Anak 2004-2005
versi Majalah Komputer Aktif, dengan ketik: POLL ST WAN 2
ke nomor 8811, selama 16 Okt sd. 30 Nov. 2004.
Raih sebuah ponsel SonyEricsson K500i, dua buah ponsel Nokia 3100 dan 10 paket
merchandise komputerakt!f bagi para peserta polling yang beruntung. Satu nomor
ponsel hanya berhak memberikan satu suara dukungan untuk tiap kategorinya.
Polling ini berlaku untuk pelanggan Telkomsel, Indosat maupun Excelcom dengan
tarif Rp 1.500.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Kirim bunga, buket balon atau cake, klik,http://www.indokado.com/
>> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.com
>> Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
