Children and bugs seem inextricably linked. During the early years, it can seem like kids catch every illness going, but when a sickness and diarrhoea virus really takes hold it can get serious
Most babies and children will suffer from gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) at some point. The most common cause is a virus called rotavirus and the bad news is that it's so widespread that 95 per cent of children will have a bout of rotavirus gastroenteritis by the time they reach their fifth birthday.
Symptoms
Symptoms of rotavirus infection include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and pain. The diarrhoea and vomiting can be intense, and a baby or child can typically have 20 episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea in just 24 hours. The symptoms can last for up to a week, sometimes longer.
While most cases of infection will resolve with rest and plenty of fluids, there is a risk of dehydration and children with severe cases may need hospital treatment. Rotavirus gastroenteritis is more severe in younger children, and severe gastroenteritis is common in babies aged six months or younger.
Treatment
The main aim of treatment for gastroenteritis is to avoid dehydration by giving the child frequent small sips of water. Babies who are breastfeeding or bottle feeding should still be offered a feed. Older children can be offered food, but refusal is not a cause for concern. You may be advised by your doctor or NHS Direct to add a rehydration formula to water.
NHS Direct encourages parents or carers of babies or children showing signs of dehydration, or with very severe diarrhoea and sickness, to contact their GP urgently or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Signs of dehydration include:
- thirst
- little or no urine
- dark urine
- dry, flushed skin
- dry eyes
- dry mouth
- headache
- clammy hands and feet
- sunken eyes
- dizziness
- confusion and irritability
- sunken, soft spot/fontanel (in babies only)
The good news is that once children have been infected, they will usually become immune to rotavirus, so future infections, if any, will be less severe. Rotavirus rarely affects adults as immunity to the virus lasts a long time.
How Rotavirus spreads
Rotavirus spreads easily and is highly infectious, which can make it difficult to control. Infectious virus has been found in stools and vomit, so nappy changing and the mess of diarrhoea and vomiting offers a prime opportunity for it to spread. Just to complicate matters, the virus can be present up to two days before a child shows any sign of infection.
Rotavirus is most common during the winter months and it can live for days outside the body allowing it to spread through contact with objects. Toys, nursery equipment, even door handles, can all carry the virus. This means that children who are regularly exposed to groups of other children, such as at nurseries, children's wards or even the family home, are at risk of passing on the infection.
Good hygiene such as frequent hand cleaning, washing of clothing and bed linen and disinfecting toys and door handles are the most important way of limiting the spread of rotavirus. However, even with good standards of hygiene, it spreads very easily, so if your child becomes infected, it is no reflection on how clean you are.
If your child has the symptoms of rotavirus gastroenteritis, keep them away from other children until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.