How to detect and treat gastroenteritis in children?

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​Bacterial gastroenteritis
​The main bacteria that cause gastroenteritis in our country are:

• Salmonella. AND one of the main causes of food poisoning in Portugal. It is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food. Most cases develop during the summer months. Symptoms (diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and headache) usually appear between 8 and 72 hours after infection and can last 4 to 7 days;
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• Escherichia coli (E. coli). It affects both children like adultstherefore transmission from children to parents is frequent. However, it mostly affects children and, within these, those who are artificially fed. The most typical symptoms (watery diarrhea, low fever, abdominal cramps, tiredness and nausea) appear approximately 8 hours to 2 days after consuming the contaminated food and last 3 to 3 weeks;
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• Campylobacter. It is especially striking children under 5 years old and young people between 15 and 29 years old. It is contracted through contaminated food or water. The most common symptoms (abdominal pain, fever, profuse diarrhea and vomiting) appear between 2 and 7 days after ingestion of contaminated food and can last 6 or 7 days;
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• Shigella. That’s the group most affected preschool childrenbetween 1 and 4 years. Symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea with mucus and sometimes blood in the stool, and fever) appear between 1 and 4 days after eating the contaminated food and last up to 7 days.

The most common way for children to get it bacterial gastroenteritis it’s finished consumption of contaminated animal products. In particular, egg, aves poultry, beef vaca and of pig.

Additionally, it is possible for children to contract salmonella through contact with reptiles such as turtles OR geckosor amphibians, like frogs.

Remember: A lack of adequate refrigeration favors the growth of bacteria. If you’re going on a picnic or to eat at the beach, make sure you have a lunchbox or cooler to keep your food cold.

👉 Find out more: Food storage: tips for storing food well

Tips for treating gastroenteritis in children

Most cases of gastrointestinal tract infections go away within a few days. Don’t forget to monitor your child’s condition to avoid a possible worsening!

Hydration and diet for gastroenteritis

Give your child a diet based on replacement of nutrients and fluids to avoid dehydration. Encourage him to drink small sips of waterevery 10 minutes. Don’t let him drink all the sips at once, as this may cause him to vomit again.

It is not recommended offer isotonic drinks for athletes, amounts OR non-alcoholic drinks. The amount of sugar they contain can worsen the health condition of the child. Give him tea or carrot juice instead.

In any case, try to resume breastfeeding your baby as soon as possible. A diet for gastroenteritis in children does not object to food intake. However, exclude the foods that are difficult to digestsuch as very fatty foods: fried, sausages, pre-cooked dishes OR red meat.

You should also make sure that your child restore the balance of the intestinal flora. To do this, prepare meals that include probiotics, such as: yogurt, naturally leavened bread, kefir, kimchi, miso OR fermented soybeans, kombucha, among others.

⚠️ Don’t forget: If your baby has diarrhea, you should not breastfeed or offer formula.

Medicines and serums

If your child shows signs of severe dehydration, speed up recovery electrolytes and other nutrients, with solutions OR oral rehydration serums! Ask any pharmacy which solution is suitable for your child’s age.

There is no specific drug for the treatment of gastroenteritis in children. However, some treatments that may be prescribed are medications antidiarrheals to stop diarrhea, antipyretics to relieve fever, or other medicines to relieve vomiting.

⚠️ Before giving any medication to your child, ask your pediatrician for advice!
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