HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Diarrhoea & vomiting in children (gastroenteritis)
Tikotiko me ruaki ki ngā tamariki
Gastroenteritis in an infection of the stomach and bowels. It can cause watery diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting.
The infection is usually due to a virus (rotavirus is the most common) but sometimes bacteria can cause it.
Symptoms can last for up to 10 days.
Gastroenteritis is very easy to spread and is spread by touch.
Treating gastroenteritis
The main treatment is to keep your tamaiti (child) drinking fluids. They need these to replace the fluid lost from the diarrhoea and vomiting. Otherwise, they will become dehydrated. Pēpi (babies) and young tamariki (children) are more prone to dehydration.
Give your tamaiti child clear fluids even if they're vomiting or the diarrhoea is getting worse. Give them small amounts frequently. For example, ¼ cup every 15 minutes or 1 teaspoon (5 ml) in a syringe every minute. Suitable fluids include:
- Oral rehydration solutions such as Gastrolyte or Pedialyte from your doctor or pharmacy. These work the best since they have the right proportions of salts, sugars and water. Follow the instructions on the packet.
- Diluted fruit juice, fruit drinks or lemonade. Mix one part juice or drink to one part water.
- Diluted soup. Mix one part soup to one part water.
- Cow's milk (if your tamaiti is at least 1 year old).
Do not use full strength drinks or sports drinks as they contain too much sugar and can make the diarrhoea worse.
If you're breastfeeding, carry on but feed more often. If your pēpi baby is on formula, continue to give formula feeds. You can offer them clear fluids as well.
Keep giving your tamaiti food if they want to eat. Starchy foods such as white bread, toast, white rice, plain potato and plain biscuits are best. Do not stop food for more than 24 hours.
Your tamaiti will need more rest than usual.
Medicines to stop diarrhoea and vomiting aren't helpful.
Preventing gastroenteritis from spreading
Gastroenteritis is spread by touch so hand washing is the most important thing you can do to prevent it spreading.
Wash and dry your hands before and after handling food and changing nappies or toileting. Wash and dry your child's hands too.
Do not share food and drink.
While your tamaiti has diarrhoea, it's best to keep them away from their daycare, kindergarten or school, as they can pass the illness on to others. They should stay away until they have had no diarrhoea for 48 hours.
Getting help for your tamaiti with gastroenteritis
Take your tamaiti to the doctor if:
- they have diarrhoea or vomiting and are less than 6 months old
- they're drowsy and difficult to rouse
- they have a lot of diarrhoea – 8 to 10 watery motions in a day
- they develop a severe or persistent tummy pain
- they have blood or mucus in their bowel motions
- they're dehydrated. Signs of dehydration are being pale, sleepy or lethargic, losing weight, having sunken eyes and not passing urine
- they have not improved after a few days
- you're worried for any other reason.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Community and Public Health – How to wash your hands
Poster with photos, showing correct hand-washing technique. You can also order this as a sticker.
- KidsHealth – Gastroenteritis
Information about the causes and treatment of gastroenteritis from the Paediatric Society of New Zealand and the Starship Foundation.
- Health Information and Services – Water activities
Guidelines on safe swimming in public or private pools.
Written by the South Canterbury DHB. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2022.
Review key: HIGAC-12652
